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WEBSITE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Kim Malsam-Rysdon, Secretary of Health

South Dakota Department of Health Logo and covid.sd.gov button.

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) updates and information

Updates | COVID-19 in SD
Precautions to Avoid Illness | If You Develop Symptoms
Multiple Language Resources | Vaccine Information
Community Guidance | Plasma Donation
Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C)
For Medical Providers | SD Healthcare Provider Guidance
Remdesivir Distribution | SD Registries & Data Collection
CDC Healthcare Provider Guidance | CDC Website
 COVIDAge Risk Calculator button Quarantine and Isolation Calculator button

The South Dakota Department of Health (SD-DOH) continues to respond to the emergence of the novel coronavirus. We are working with the CDC and our healthcare partners across the state to protect South Dakotans from COVID-19.

South Dakota COVID-19 Information Line. Questions about COVID-19? We're here to help. Please Call: 1-800-997-2880

Updates

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COVID-19 in South Dakota

Please wait. The data dashboard below takes a moment to load and is best viewed on desktop or in landscape mode on mobile (i.e. holding the phone sideways).

Note:

  • The Community Impact Map uses the definitions for none, minimal, moderate, and substantial community transmission. The level of spread is aligned with the CDC’s Community Mitigation Framework.

  • The number of persons positive for COVID-19 and number of tests positive for COVID-19 reflect only South Dakota residents, regardless of where testing was conducted (in-state or out-of-state).

  • Investigation of a person positive for COVID-19 is completed by the public health agency in the state where the person resides. A South Dakota resident testing positive in another state is reported to SD-DOH for investigation.

  • States notify the public health agency in which close contacts of a positive case reside so notification can be made. A South Dakota resident will be notified if they were a close contact to a confirmed case by the SD-DOH.

  • A public notice is issued by SD-DOH when a person positive for COVID-19 is unable to identify all close contacts (spent 15 minutes or more within 6 feet) where there may be risk of exposure so that individuals can monitor themselves for symptoms and seek guidance from their medical provider.

  • A person is considered recovered after they have been released from isolation by SD-DOH upon meetingthefollowing: (1) at least 10 days have elapsed after their symptoms began, and (2) at least 24 hours haveelapsed after their fever resolvedand their other symptoms have improved.

  • South Dakota K-12 Schools and Colleges, Universities and Technical Schools COVID Stats. Updated weekly on Mondays. Button.

    COVID-19 cases within South Dakota K-12 Schools and Colleges, Universities, and Technical Schools will be updated weekly on Monday.

  • Monthly number of total tests reported and total persons tested for SARS-CoV-2. Data will be updated monthly.

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Precautions to avoid illness

Clean hands often. Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Avoid Close Contact.  Avoid close contact with people. Stay at home as much as possible, except to run essential errands or to seek medical attention. Put distance between yourself and other people. Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread the virus. Wear a cloth face cover. Everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities.  The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.  Do NOT use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker.  Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.cover coughs & Sneezes.  If you are in a private setting and do not have on your cloth face covering, remember to always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.  Throw used tissues in the trash.  Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. clean and disinfect.  Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.  If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.

What can you do?

Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations:

South Dakota’s healthcare system is prepared to identify and treat cases of COVID-19.

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WHAT TO DO IF YOU DEVELOP SYMPTOMS

COVID-19 Screening Tool. This tool can help you understand what to do next about COVD-19. Click to Start Your Screening. Developed by CDC, White House, and FEMA. If you develop symptoms:

Quarantine, Isolation, and Self-Monitoring:

Return to Work Request Letter

If the Department of Health has contacted you regarding your status as a close contact to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or if you have tested positive for COVID-19 you may request an employer letter. This is for individuals only – employers may not request a letter for their employee(s).

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Guidance:
CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. Visit the CDC website for more information.

Find Federally Qualified Health Centers in South Dakota - community-based primary care services in underserved areas providing care on a sliding fee scale based on ability to pay.

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Vaccine Information

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Community Guidance & Resources

Do you speak English as a second language? CLICK HERE for Translated Resources.Guidance from the CDC is available for:

Behavioral Health

Communities

Tribes

Special Populations

Retirement and Independent Living Facilities

Schools, Daycares & Youth Programs

Workplaces

Food Safety

Public Pools, Hot Tubs, and Water Playgrounds

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COVID-19 Plasma Donation

Everyone plays a part in getting through the COVID-19 pandemic. If you have fully recovered from COVID-19, you may be able to help patients currently fighting the infection by donating your plasma, also known as convalescent plasma. Because you fought the infection, your plasma now contains COVID-19 antibodies. These antibodies provided one way for your immune system to fight the virus when you were sick, so your plasma may be able to help others fight off the disease.

To become a convalescent plasma donor, individuals should contact their physician or visit the websites below for more information:

Individuals or family members who are interested in acquiring a donation for a family member should contact their clinician for more information.

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Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C)

What is MIS-C?

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a condition where different body parts can become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs. Children with MIS-C may have a fever and various symptoms, including abdominal (gut) pain, vomiting, diarrhea, neck pain, rash, bloodshot eyes, or feeling extra tired. We do not yet know what causes MIS-C. However, many children with MIS-C had the virus that causes COVID-19, or had been around someone with COVID-19. More information is available on CDC’s website.

MIS-C in South Dakota

Currently, one case of MIS-C in an individual in the 0-19 age group living in Eastern South Dakota has been reported.

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information for Medical Providers

Care of Patients with COVID-19 Infection

When evaluating and providing medical care for a person with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection, please refer to CDC infection prevention and control recommendations.

General Testing Recommendations

Medical providers are recommended to test individuals with signs and symptoms compatible with COVID-19 infection, including:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Testing at the South Dakota Public Health Laboratory

The following groups of individuals will be prioritized for testing:

  • Hospitalized patients
  • Healthcare workers, first responders, and active military, with symptoms
  • Individuals living or working in institutional settings, such as long-term care facilities, with symptoms
  • Underinsured or uninsured individuals, with symptoms
  • Low-income individuals or those unable to pay for testing, with symptoms
  • Homeless individuals with symptoms

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SD Guidance for Healthcare Providers

SD Public Health Lab

Nursing Homes & Long Term Care Facilities

Emergency Management Assistance Compact

On March 23, 2020, Governor Noem issued Executive Order 2020-07 which recognizes the licenses of medical professionals licensed in another state in accordance with the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. The following professions licensed in other states have the authority to practice in SD based on an active license in another state. They do not need to gain another license in SD. It is recommended that if you are utilizing the services of one of the professionals licensed in other states that you verify the licensure status of that individual. Please contact the board office with any questions that you have during this Coronavirus Pandemic.

Important LISTSERVs for Healthcare Providers

The Department of Health maintains a variety of LISTSERVs that provide useful information on COVID-19, including current guidance and scheduled calls.

ATTENTION RETIRED OR INACTIVE MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS:

Governor Noem is reaching out to our state’s licensed medical professionals (physicians, nurses, EMTs, etc.) who are willing to volunteer their services during this COVID-19 pandemic through the Department of Health’s Statewide Emergency Registry of Volunteers in South Dakota (SERV SD). SERV SD coordinates the pre-registration of medical and health care professionals who may be willing to volunteer in the event of an emergency.

Whether you work in a health field or not, active or retired, if you have an interest in assisting your community or state during the COVID-19 pandemic, we invite you to join SERV SD. SERV SD will create a database of medical and health care volunteers who can be mobilized immediately in response to an emergency. Participation in a deployment opportunity is optional. You may decide at the time a call is made to volunteer if you are willing and able to respond.

Registering with SERV SD is easy. Go to https://volunteers.sd.gov/.

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Remdesivir Distribution

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South Dakota RegistrY and Data Collection for COVID-19

South Dakota and its health systems have banded together to combat the SARS CoV-2 virus and COVID-19 disease. Developing and using registries to collect, analyze, and share data about the virus and its impact on patients, physicians, and other caregivers will help develop the knowledge to successfully prevent and treat COVID-19. South Dakota clinicians and facilities have access to data collection tools to aid in the gathering of evidence. Learn more below:

  • SD State COVID-19 Positive Patient Registry | Excel | PDF | FAQ

Registry

Randomized clinical trials provide the most reliable information to test treatments, but are not always practical or possible, especially during a pandemic. Structured data collection is the pragmatic answer to collecting data outside of a clinical trial. The purpose of the registries is to learn more about the natural history of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the effects of treatments, possible mechanisms of disease, and to inform the development of diagnostics and therapeutics. 

The COVID-19 Positive Patient Registry is more inclusive, creating a database of all COVID-19 positive patients, regardless of their treatment. This registry will provide for the collection of onset symptoms, pre-existing conditions but then also provide for the collection of treatments and outcomes initially and on an ongoing basis until the patient is recovered. 

Consolidation of the various sources of data will be structured as the registry volumes mature, anticipated development of the integrated Registry database is fall, 2020. The consolidated registry will be governed with data use agreements and an oversight body to protect the privacy of patients and clinicians, but encourage access by physicians and researchers to answer COVID-19 related questions.

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CDC Guidance for Healthcare Providers

CDC issued guidance to healthcare facilities in the event that illness is identified.

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