2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) updates and information

COVID-19 in South Dakota | News | Precautions to Avoid Illness |
Information for Medical Providers | CDC Community Mitigation Guidance

image of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) - Click to link to COVID-19 CDC Page

The South Dakota Department of Health (SD-DOH) continues to monitor the emergence of the novel coronavirus. We are working with the CDC and our healthcare partners across the state to prepare for and respond to a potential case. Updates include:

There are no confirmed or suspected cases of novel coronavirus 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 should self-monitor for 14 days for novel coronavirus symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, and 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, the total number of persons that tested negative, and the total number of PUIs that are pending results.

As of March 9, 2020

Positive*	0
Negative	11
Pending	0

*Includes presumptive positives sent to CDC for final testing.
This table will be updated each weekday by 5 p.m. Central Time.

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

You can take the following precautions to avoid illness:

Follow CDC’s Travel Health Notices if you are traveling internationally.
Contact your medical provider if you become ill after international travel.
Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze (with a tissue or into your sleeve).
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Wash hands often with soap and water (or alcohol-based hand gel).
Stay home if you are sick.

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	Identified 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 lab-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.

Guidance on specimen collection and testing, infection control practices, and other considerations are available at:
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.

Evaluating and reporting persons under investigation

Evaluating PUIs and Asymptomatic Close Contracts

CDC Community Mitigation Guidance

Community mitigation guidance from CDC available for: