Community Spread Seen in New Counties
The state Department of Health reports 58 total cases of COVID-19 in South Dakota. That’s an increase of 12.
Of those new cases, several are in the Black Hills area, including community spread in Lawrence and Pennington Counties. Beadle and Minnehaha County cases continue to increase.
The state says 21 of those who’ve tested positive for COVID-19 have fully recovered.
Governor Kristi Noem is announcing 9 pieces of legislation lawmakers will consider on Monday to address the coronavirus outbreak.
TenHaken Announces Restrictions for Sioux Falls
Effective immediately no more than ten people can be in some Sioux Falls businesses at one time. This does not include employees. The move is designed to limit the spread of COVID-19.
The restriction includes restaurants, bars, cafes, casinos, health clubs and entertainment venues. Grocery stores are NOT included.
City officials approved the measure unanimously. The ordinance will last until April 8th. The action follows reports of substantial community spread of coronavirus in Minnehaha County.
In a briefing Friday, Mayor Paul TenHaken says the city cannot make businesses shut down without authorization from the state.
"This is pretty much the furthest extent that we can take under the law available to us while minimizing any exposure or legal liability."
TenHaken says it's likely the restrictions could be extended. The city council will discuss any adjustments to the ordinance next Tuesday (3/31).
Lawmakers to Consider Several COVID-19 Bills on Veto Day
Governor Kristi Noem will ask lawmakers to consider several bills that address the coronavirus outbreak. Noem also wants the legislature to make some changes to the state’s budget.
Legislators will convene electronically on Monday to consider vetoes issued by the governor, but Governor Noem says she also wants them to consider several pieces of legislation and budget adjustments. Noem will host a town hall to brief lawmakers on legislation she’d like to see passed.
The governor declined to offer specifics, but says the measures will deal with COVID-19 responses and authorities the governor may have:
“It’ll also talk about economics and some of the abilities and programs that we have—making sure that we can utilize some resources to help businesses and families get through this situation,” Noem says. “There will be budget bills that we need to make decisions on, how we will handle those and where we will make changes. Obviously, there are a couple of bills I did veto that we will make decisions on as well.”
Noem still has several bills on her desk to consider, many of them that appropriate money. Some legislators say changes to next fiscal year’s budget should wait until May or June. The fiscal year starts July first. That would give lawmakers more time to study revenue data and impacts to the state revenue collections.
Absentee Voting Plans Underway in Sioux Falls
Preparations are underway in Sioux Falls for absentee voting ahead of the April election. In-person absentee voting for city and school board races begins next Monday at the Minnehaha County Election Center.
City Clerk Tom Greco says voting absentee is recommended ahead of election day.
“We’ve been struggling with COVID-19. We’ve been losing a lot of great poll workers who typically do this every year. We about use a minimum of 240 poll workers at 54 polling locations throughout the city and it has been increasingly challenging to be able to meet those demands right now. We’re working through it…and we’re working through a series of polling location closures and alternate locations.”
Greco encourages voters to use alternatives like voting by mail. He says the county election center is set up following CDC guidelines.
Sioux Falls 211 Call Center to Connect with COVID-19 Resources
The Sioux Falls 211 Helpline Center will connect callers with community resources in response to COVID-19. The center's CEO Janet Kittams says 2-1-1 staff members are seeing three kinds of calls.
“The first type of call that we’ve been receiving is really information-based. People are seeking information about the virus…and they want reassurance on how they can keep themselves safe… Second type of phone call we’re receiving are people who honestly just need help…Third type of phone call we’re getting is people who just need to talk. They need somebody to listen.”
More than 3700 calls have come into the center so far. She says they can also offer connections to mental health providers.
Racing Magpie Offering Artists Virtual Residencies
The Racing Magpie art gallery in Rapid City is offering virtual residencies to help artists losing income because of the CoronaVirus. Peter Strong is the Co-Owner of Racing Magpie. He says they allocated a total of one-thousand dollars to support five artist residencies.
“And the idea is that once a week for a month, they will do a live stream from their studio whether they’re a musician, a writer, three dimensional artists, two dimensional artists-anything-and show people that creative process. Just let people into their space.”
Strong says helping artists share their work virtually is an extension of the gallery’s mission. Residency applications are open through the end of March to artists living West River.