HURON — The Beadle County Unified COVID-19 Task Force held a public briefing Friday afternoon to address progress in the last week among the group, specifically the opening of a call center and the coalescence of COVID-19 testing in the county to one location.

The call center went live while the brief was underway, giving Beadle County residents a resource to get questions answered regarding COVID-19. The call center will be staffed by medical professionals who can give guidance on the virus itself and also offer home maintenance instruction for anyone who is isolating due to symptoms of the virus. Callers without a primary care provider can also potentially receive a referral for COVID-19 testing through the call center, though those with primary care options are encouraged to utilize their primary care physician.

Once a referral for a test is received, Beadle County residents will now have one COVID-19 testing center to access in the county. This is to alleviate stress on the already-taxed medical system and protect current health care workers by sending anyone with symptoms or priority for a test to one location where more intense protective procedures can be put into place.

Dr. Joe Carr was on the panel and discussed those who would have priority for a COVID-19 test, indicating that those who are currently hospitalized, those who are living in an institutional setting, and those whose work could potentially lead to exposure, like medical personnel, military, and other such persons. Those exhibiting strong symptoms are encouraged to call their provider and receive a referral before attempting to receive a test.

Volunteers are needed in many roles in the county and across the state. The task force encouraged those interested in volunteering to visit the S.D. website at serve.sd.gov for more information or locally to contact the Huron COVID-19 volunteer center at covid19@huronsd.com.

In questions from the public, Dr. Carr was asked about those people the state have indicated have recovered from the virus. He explained that recovery means that the person has isolated for the required amount of time and has had no fever nor symptoms for three days without medications. At that time, a person is able to re-enter society as usual, however, the data is not clear at this time to indicate that the person has any immunity, so it is best to assume that a person could get the virus again and should protect themselves as the state, county, and city have suggested through social distancing and avoiding groups.

The task force intends to provide more community briefings, but not on a regular schedule, instead choosing to brief the public when there is a matter of public importance to release.