South Dakota is ending 2021 with a COVID-19 surge.
There are more than 8,000 active cases for the first time this year. Meanwhile, 240 people are hospitalized with the disease. And the Department of Health reports 12 more deaths, raising the state’s pandemic toll to 2,486.
About 56 percent of South Dakotans 5 and older are fully vaccinated. That figure has changed little in recent weeks.
South Dakota health systems say the majority of people suffering several illness and death from COVID-19 are UN-vaccinated.
Vaccines are free and widely available. Information about local vaccine providers is available at vaccines.gov.