PIERRE — The South Dakota Department of Health (DOH) is not making any specific recommendations for those attending the fireworks display this weekend at Mount Rushmore, they reported in their Thursday press briefing.
State epidemiologist Dr. Josh Clayton, however, stated that the event wouldn’t be termed a “super spreader” event.
“We use that term on an individual basis for someone who spreads the virus significantly through exposure in a public space, not for a mass gathering,” Dr. Clayton clarified.
We will continue to put forward the recommendations that anyone at a large outdoor gathering maintain proper social distancing and wear a mask, but we are not making specific recommendations for any particular gathering at this time.”
The numbers released by DOH on Thursday showed Beadle County added five new positive tests, and, with seven new recovered cases, the active number in the county was reduced to 65. Numbers beyond the active cases continued to be concerning, however, as Beadle added one death and two more hospitalizations in DOH’s Thursday numbers. Combined with the new hospitalization announced Wednesday, that brings Beadle’s totals to seven deaths and 21 hospitalizations from COVID-19.
DOH did release new numbers for Link Snacks, Inc. (LSI) and Dakota Provisions in their Thursday press briefing. LSI has now seen 128 positive tests among employees, and 119 of those cases are now considered recovered. At Dakota Provisions, there have been 88 recovered cases of the 103 positive tests among employees.
When asked about the potential for public testing, Dr. Clayton leaned on DOH’s success in the month of June doing organized mass testing across the state.
“We made a goal of testing five percent of the state each month,” Dr. Clayton reported. “We met and exceeded that number in June.”
“We will continue to focus on a high level of testing in the state,” Clayton continued. “The department will continue to assess and work with our healthcare partners to expand testing.”
