Gov. Noem discusses COVID-19 issues
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HURON — Governor Kristi Noem spoke about the South Dakota State Fair with reporters on Wednesday after meeting with Huron school parents. One of the primary non-school topics was the South Dakota State Fair and how to have the fair in a safe manner.
Noem referenced Sturgis and a number of other large events in the state that have happened recently, ”We have had big events in South Dakota, and we have been watching those.”
She indicated that additional transmission of the virus is inevitable, but the focus in the state is on keeping hospital beds open. “People are going to get this virus,” Noem stated. “The science tells us that they will. What we need to focus on is the number that end up in the hospital and our capacity to take care of those that get very sick.”
The governor was asked about the additional COVID-19 quick-test units that were sent to Sturgis during the rally and whether those units would also be sent to the State Fair.
“Yes,” she responded. “There is a comprehensive plan that the State Fair has been working on with our Department of Health.”
The Department of Health (DOH) did confirm in their press conference on Thursday that they would be working with at least one medical provider in Huron to offer an additional Avid ID quick test machine beyond the two that are at Huron Regional Medical Center already.
DOH Secretary Kim Malsam-Rysdon further stated that a full update would be forthcoming next week, but that the department is working with local medical providers to provide mass testing to the Huron community after the State Fair.
As budgets are prepared in cities and counties, many cities and counties are finding the CARES funds already released by the state to be maxed out. When asked if there would be additional funds released, Governor Noem indicated that her office was waiting to see the funding makeup of the next federal stimulus funding legislation.
The likely inclusion of significant education funding will likely mean additional funds from the initial $1.25 billion in CARES money that was sent to the state could be released for reimbursable use by cities and counties, but that will be determined after the federal legislation is passed.
