Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) updates and information

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.

Updates include:

Cases have been identified in South Dakota.
The number of cases and countries with infections worldwide is increasing and can be found on the WHO website.
Case counts and other information about the novel coronavirus can be found on the CDC website.
Travelers returning from China, Iran, Italy and South Korea should self-monitor for 14 days for novel coronavirus symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, or shortness of breath) and contact SD-DOH at 800-592-1861 if they develop symptoms to aid coordination of care.

COVID-19 in South Dakota

On March 4, 2020, CDC updated the clinical criteria for testing a symptomatic individual after evaluation by their healthcare provider. As a result, the South Dakota Department of Health (SD-DOH) expects the number of persons under investigation (PUI) being tested for COVID-19 to increase.

The number of PUI being tested does not reflect the level of risk to the public in the state. For more information about the outbreak, potential risks, and protective recommendations, visit the SD-DOH website or CDC website.
This table shows the total number of positive COVID-19 cases in South Dakota residents, the total number of persons that tested negative, and the total number of PUIs that are pending results.

As of March 11, 2020

Positive*	8
Negative	27
Pending	11

*Includes presumptive positives sent to CDC for final testing
Counties reporting cases: Beadle, Charles Mix, Davison, Minnehaha (3), Pennington, Bon Homme
This table will be updated each weekday

News

March 5, 2020 - Update Webinar for Healthcare Providers | Slides
March 4, 2020 - Informational Briefing for Senate Health and Human Services Committee
February 27, 2020 - South Dakota Prepares for COVID-19

Precautions to avoid illness

What can you do?

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Refraining from touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects.
Individuals at higher risk for severe COVID-19 illness, such as older adults and people who have chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease, should take actions to reduce your risk of exposure.
Create a family plan to prepare for COVID-19 and develop a stay at home kit with food, water, medication, and other necessary items.

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

If you develop symptoms:

Call your health care provider immediately and tell them about any recent travel or exposure.
Individuals who are concerned that they have COVID-19 should contact their healthcare provider via phone before going to a clinic or hospital to prevent spread in healthcare facilities.
Avoid contact with other people.
Follow the directions of your provider and public health officials.

Find Federally Qualified Health Centers in South Dakota

CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19. You should only wear a mask if a healthcare professional recommends it. A facemask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms. This is to protect others from the risk of getting infected. The use of facemasks also is crucial for health workers and other people who are taking care of someone infected with COVID-19 in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).

information for Medical Providers

Medical providers who are concerned a patient may be infected with COVID-19 should:

Mask the patient
Isolate the Patient in a private room or separate area, and
Contact with SD-DOH (800-592-1861) immediately for consultation and guidance

Clinicians are strongly encouraged to test for other infectious causes of respiratory illness, such as influenza and RSV. Note: Asymptomatic patients are not eligible for testing at the SD Public Health Laboratory.


Priority Level	Clinical Features	Risk Exposure*

Low	Fever OR Cough OR Shortness of Breath	None identified

Medium	Fever OR Cough OR Shortness of breath AND Elevated risk for severe infection**	None identified

Medium	Fever OR Cough OR Shortness of Breath	Identified risk

High	Fever OR Cough OR Sore Throat OR Shortness of Breath	Identified healthcare risk***

High	Fever AND Cough OR Shortness of Breath	Identified risk

*Individual meets the risk exposure criterion if they have one of the following:

Close contact to a laboratory-confirmed case within 14 days of symptom onset.
History of travel to a geographic area with community transmission in a state within 14 days of symptom onset. Visit CDC website for the current list of states.
History of travel from a country under a Level 2 or Level 3 Travel Advisory. Visit CDC website for the current list of countries.

**Elevated Risk for Severe COVID-19 Infection:

Hospitalized patients
Older adults (65 years of age and older)
Individuals with certain pre-existing conditions (e.g., heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, and immunosuppressed)

***Any healthcare worker who was caring for or who had unprotected direct contact with infectious secretions or excretions of a suspected COVID-19 patient or laboratory-confirmed case within 14 days of symptoms onset.

Guidance on specimen collection and testing, infection control practices, and other considerations are available at:
- SD-HAN 20-007: Guidance on Evaluating Persons for COVID-19 Infection (Updates SD-HAN 20-003)
- SD-HAN 20-006: Healthcare Facility Checklist
- SD-HAN 20-005: CDC COCA Call

COVID-19 Lab Specimen Submission Form
- SD Public Health Lab Specimen Guidance
CDC COCA Call COVID-19 Update - March 5, 2020 call in information
SD-DOH would like to remind medical providers, hospitals, and laboratories that cases of COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, are considered immediately reportable in South Dakota (under Coronavirus Respiratory syndromes).
CDC issued guidance to healthcare facilities in the event that a traveler with illness is identified.