SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - South Dakota health officials recorded one more COVID-19 death and 95 new confirmed coronavirus cases on Friday.
The new figures bring the state’s death toll to 44 and its confirmed case count to 3,887. Health officials have warned the the actual number of infections is higher because many people may not display symptoms or have not sought testing if their symptoms are mild.
The death reported Friday was a woman over 80 who lived in Minnehaha County, the state’s most populated area. About 80% of cases in the state have come from the county.
Several other areas experienced a rise in confirmed cases this week, with cities like Aberdeen and Rapid City showing small spikes in confirmed cases. Several Native American tribes also reported a handful of cases, which prompted strict lock downs on two reservations.
State epidemiologist Josh Clayton warned that infections will increase as people practice less social distancing.
Health officials also said 80 people were hospitalized with the disease as of Friday. About two-thirds of people with confirmed cases have recovered, while 1,269 still have active symptoms.
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