South Dakota Records an 8th Death Due to COVID-19
South Dakota Department of Health officials are reporting 71 newly identified cases of COVID-19 in the state and another death.
The statewide total is 1,754 cases. That total includes 8 deaths, 100 hospitalizations, and 824 people who’ve fully recovered. 65 of the newly identified cases and the latest fatality are in Minnehaha County.
Other counties with smaller case increases are Davison, Lincoln and Moody.
Two South Dakota Car Tracks to Race with Hundreds in Stands
Two South Dakota racetracks plan to open their gates this weekend despite fears that fans could spread the coronavirus. The Park Jefferson International Speedway near North Sioux City plans to host races on Saturday. Just up the road, The New Raceway Park will hold races on Sunday.
Both facilities say they are selling limited tickets to allow room for social distancing. The New Raceway Park will require that fans wear face masks and get their temperatures checked.
City and Union County officials say they want to stop the races, but they can’t. County Commissioner Rich Headid [HED-id] blames the Legislature. He says a bill lawmakers rejected last month would’ve given county commissioners extra powers in a public health crisis.
"We’re in a jam right now. If that would’ve gotten passed, we could’ve acted on this. But unfortunately we’ve got to follow the laws. We can’t make the laws as we go.”
At a news conference, Governor Kristi Noem was asked about the races. Noem said repeatedly she encourages race fans to stay home. But she won’t go any further.
“I’m going to continue to recommend that people not go. That will be the course of action that I’ll be taking.”
The New Raceway Park is selling tickets now. Park Jefferson Speedway says on Facebook its event is already sold out.
South Dakota Healthcare Workers Furloughed
Hundreds of healthcare workers across South Dakota face temporary layoffs or reduced hours. Avera Health in Sioux Falls is furloughing 650 employees. At Monument Health in Rapid City, furloughs affect 200 workers.
Governor Kristi Noem says the moves come as health systems lose revenue from other activities while they focus on COVID-19.
“I am concerned about it, and I think it can be largely attributed to the fact that there’s no elective procedures going on right now, to preserve the personal protective equipment that we need to fight the virus.”
Sanford Health in Sioux Falls has not furloughed staff. But it’s adjusting the hours of clinical staff who do not treat COVID-19 patients.
Coronavirus Developments Continue to Change Perspectives
The coronavirus pandemic presents new challenges for health care professionals. Dr. Wendell Hoffman is an infectious disease specialist with Sanford Health. He says recent developments have changed his perspective on the coronavirus.
“This virus has likely been here for some time and that there is a significant asymptomatic spread going on in the population.”
Hoffman says more people who don’t show symptoms while they’re infected means a lower mortality rate. But he says it can also mean the virus is likely to spread more quickly. Hoffman says in the past few days, the number of cases per day is down. He says that’s likely from good social distancing practices.
“I believe it was 50 cases reported today Monday which is continuing to come down. Now, does that mean are we past the peak? It’s too early to say but I think it is encouraging.”
Hoffman says it is important that South Dakotans maintain good prevention practices. He says people should wear masks and keep up social distancing to reduce the rate of infection.
Hearing Impaired Face Additional Challenges
Daily briefings about the coronavirus offer vital public information. But people with hearing loss can find it difficult to stay informed.
Lindsey Jorgensen is an audiologist and an associate professor at the University of South Dakota. She tells In the Moment that more access to hearing aids and wider use of closed captioning is important to communicate with hearing impaired residents.
“Most people with hearing loss don’t use American sign language. So, although those ASL interpreters are incredibly important for deaf individuals it doesn’t provide access to the public service announcement for most people who have hearing loss. If you are 65 years of age or older your somewhere about 50-60 percent of people have hearing loss. If you are 80 years of age or older between 80 and 95 percent of those people have hearing loss.”
Jorgensen says communication limitations already isolate people with hearing loss. The pandemic makes that worse. She says it’s even harder because elderly residents are more likely to be isolated during quarantine.