Statewide COVID-19 Positives Nearing 1,000
The State Department of Health reports 121 new cases of COVID-19. That brings the statewide total to 988.
Nearly all of the new cases - 115 - are in Minnehaha County. And 75% of those cases are workers at the Smithfield pork processing plant in Sioux Falls.
Minnehaha County accounts for nearly 80% of the state’s total cases.
Its neighbor Lincoln County has five new cases since Monday. Codington County saw one new case.
Brookings Launches COVID Call Center
Brookings has launched an emergency call center for questions about COVID-19.
City employees staff the call center. They’ve been trained by the Brookings Health System. The call center handles initial screenings and guides residents elsewhere for more detailed help.
Chelsie Bakken is the public information officer for the city. She says they created the initiative to alleviate potential burden on the city’s health system.
“We wanted to put something in place, so our residents had that ability to reach somebody and not have to be on hold if they have any questions…and as far as questions themselves, this is not a line that we are giving medical advice. It is a line to help people decide which steps they need to take next.”
Bakken says those experiencing mild symptoms of COVID-19 should reach out to the call center before contacting their healthcare provider.
Noem Warns of "Shocking" State Revenue Numbers
State government is issuing a new weekly report on the economic impact of the coronavirus.
The pandemic is still so new that so far, weekly unemployment claims have been one of the only ways to measure the economic impact. In South Dakota, more than 16,000 people have filed for unemployment benefits in the weeks that show virus-related job losses.
Now there’s data on the broader economic impact. The state Bureau of Finance and Management will post weekly COVID-19 economic updates online.
This week’s dashboard says travel spending is down 70 percent from the same week last year. The state’s weekly average of video lottery revenue is down 48 percent from January to March. And statewide job postings are down 10 percent since mid March.
Governor Kristi Noem says the state’s economic hit will get worse.
“I want to prepare you for the coming days, where we will get numbers that will be shocking to all of you.”
Without an income tax, South Dakota depends on sales taxes for much of its revenue. Noem says the state won’t have full data about the pandemic’s revenue impact until early May, when reports of April sales are published.
A link to the state’s data dashboard is available at www.covid.sd.gov
SDPB Hosts Statewide Coronavirus Town Hall with Gov. Kristi Noem
SDPB is hosting a live, one-hour discussion with Gov. Kristi Noem regarding the impact of coronavirus across the state. The program is Wednesday, April 15 at 7pm/6MT. Joining Governor Noem are Kim Malsam-Rysdon, Secretary of Health; and Steve Westra, Commissioner of the Governor's Office of Economic Development.
Stephanie Rissler hosts live on SDPB1-TV, SDPB Radio and on the SDNet App.
The public is invited to submit questions via email and text. Email questions to [email protected] or text them to 605-956-7372.