86 of 90 New COVID Cases in Minnehaha County
South Dakota has 90 newly identified COVID-19 cases, 86 of them are in Minnehaha County.
The new statewide total is 626. That total includes 33 hospitalizations, 189 people who’ve fully recovered and six who’ve died.
Minnehaha County has 438 total cases. 238 of those are people who work at the Smithfield Foods plant in Sioux Falls, according to the state Department of Health.
The increasing infection rates prompted the Department of Health to declare a public health emergency for Minnehaha County on Friday
Northern State Opening Residence Halls for Healthcare Workers
Northern State University in Aberdeen plans to open its residence halls as temporary housing for first responders and health care employees.
The university will make 150 suites at three of its residence halls available.
Brown County Emergency Management officials say the housing is for employees who work in high-exposure settings and don’t want to carry the virus to their homes.
Some international students who cannot return home still live in another part of campus housing.
Sioux Falls Spring Election Postponed Until June
The spring election for the city of Sioux Falls is postponed until June in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The combined city and school board election was originally planned for Tuesday, April 14th. City council members will vote to set a specific date.
City officials say residents have the option to vote absentee. They encourage voting by mail, but in-person alternatives are available.
Minnehaha and Lincoln county auditors will accept voter registration forms 15 days before the June election.