SIOUX FALLS (AP) — South Dakota's public health lab has halted COVID-19 testing due to a shortage of supplies, officials announced Wednesday.
The lab had to stop this week after running out of supplies both from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and private suppliers. It ran tests for medium and high risk patients on Monday. The Department of Health said there is “no timeframe” for when tests will be available due to a nationwide shortage of supplies for testing. Two of the largest healthcare providers in South Dakota indicated on Tuesday they are working to develop testing.
The Department of Health recommended people exhibiting symptoms of the coronavirus isolate themselves. The department is still telling physicians to send samples to the lab in Pierre for testing when it becomes available.
For most people, the coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.
