More people testing positive for COVID in KELOLAND

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – It’s easy to forget how serious COVID was. The virus killed more than 3,000 people in South Dakota, the majority of them in 2021.

Dr. Kevin Post, Avera’s Chief Medical Officer, says it is important to remember what it was like in those days.

“I can remember walking through the halls of our intensive care units, our emergency rooms, just the volume of patients, the level of the gravity of the situation, and the toll that took on all of our health care workers. I think those of us who lived through it will never forget how that felt,” Post said.

Right now, it appears more people are testing positive for COVID, and both Avera and Sanford health systems are reporting an increase in patients with the illness. The good news is the strains of COVID circulating right now are not as dangerous as the original virus.

“The current strains that are circulating do not seem to be quite as virulent, and they don’t seem to be causing as much significance of an illness; however, we have seen a little bit of an increase in cases here over the last month or so,” Post said.

Avera had about 5 to 10 patients in the entire Avera system, now they have just over 20 patients. Post recommends people take precautions, get vaccinated, wash your hands and stay away from sick people if possible.

And if you do get COVID they recommend you simply isolate yourself for 5 days as best you can.

“If you do test positive, unfortunately we just recommend isolation away from other people for 5 days at that point if you are healthy you can return to be around your family and your loved ones,” Post said.

Dr. Post says his level of concern is low to moderate.

“This is by no means to sound a flag of alarm or anything like that,” said Post. “It’s just saying hey let’s take our lessons of what we learned from the past several years and apply it to today so that we can all live our normal lives with our loved ones.

The state of South Dakota is reporting 925 new cases and 75 hospitalizations.

Sanford’s Chief Physician tells us they have seen an increase in patients testing positive for COVID-19, but their hospitalizations have not increased. There are antibody treatments to help you fight off the virus and recover more quickly. Those with serious symptoms should see their doctor as soon as possible.

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