The prevalence of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 has been on a stratospheric rise in South Dakota, leading local community leaders to call for their residents to do more in order to slow the spread.
“Quite honestly, we need this region and each of you to do your part,” Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken said at a press conference on Monday. “We need more. Our schools need you to do more, our hospitals need you to do more, our vulnerable populations need this community, this region to do more.”
He stopped short of calling for a mask mandate, stating that the issue had become too politicized, and was not willing to dedicate resources to enforcing such a measure.
The press conference came on the heels of a letter signed by sixteen mayors of the South Dakota Municipal League, which asked community members to do their part to reduce spread. The letter was signed by the mayors of some of the largest municipalities in South Dakota, including Brandon, Watertown, Brookings, Rapid City, and Sioux Falls.
“The concept of community is more important than ever, and the actions of every community are critical to stopping the spread of COVID-19. Each of us has the opportunity every single day to make the right choices that help reduce the transmission of COVID-19 and help save lives,” the letter states.
The numbers are getting serious. Minnehaha County’s active case numbers have more than doubled since September 30, and the state as a whole saw over 10,000 new cases in the first twenty days of the month, far out-stripping prior months.
October has so far been the deadliest month for South Dakota’s population, as more than 100 people died due to COVID as of Tuesday, October 20. Modeling done by Johns Hopkins University did not give very good projections, with over 200 deaths by the end of the month.
The vast majority of deaths so far have been in those aged 50 and above, with 171 deaths in those aged 80+, 62 deaths in those aged 70-79, 47 deaths in those aged 60-69, and 29 deaths in those aged 50-59. However, the deadly effects of COVID-19 are not relegated only to the older populations, as twenty-one people aged 20-49 have died.
Over 600 South Dakota residents have been hospitalized since October 1, leading to daily hospitalized counts of over 300 people.
“There’s a mistaken and dangerous idea that we can let COVID spread among young, healthy people as long as we protect the vulnerable,” wrote former CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden on Tuesday in an article published on the Fox News website. “That would backfire and lead to more Americans killed by the virus than in all the wars of the 20th century.”
This would be due to the likelihood of the young spreading it to the old.
“No age group is an island,” Frieden stated. He continued by noting that 1 in 5 Americans are over the age of 60, and that long-lasting immunity may not be occurring in all situations. Even with an estimated 8 million people who have been diagnosed as positive, this is still less than 15% of the U.S. population. Experts have noted that over 70% of a population must experience illness to have “herd immunity.”
Numerous public health experts have predicted a strong overall increase in cases as the weather grows colder. They warn that the effects of both influenza and COVID may be bad over the winter months, leading to overwhelmed healthcare systems. They have encouraged people to work towards reducing the spread of both.
“We need you to do your part,” stated the letter released by the mayors of the SD Municipal League.
“Wear a danged mask,” Mayor TenHaken said at the press conference held Monday. He continued by re-iterating the need to social distance as well.
Both Sanford and Avera are urging people to forgo large gatherings and small social gatherings, and to reconsider Thanksgiving celebrations.
While the hospitals have not completely hit capacity in South Dakota, both Avera and Sanford administrators admitted Monday that the increased case load was difficult, causing staff to work longer hours or extra shifts.
On Tuesday, a DeSmet man who originally raised the concern about hospital capacity in South Dakota, John Bjorkman, died after a long battle with COVID-19. He had been transferred to Marshall, Minnesota at the end of September after a doctor had been told the Sioux Falls hospitals were at capacity.
The hospital dashboard on the Department of Health website said as of Tuesday, South Dakota had total staffed hospital capacity of 39.5% availability. Avera McKennan in Sioux Falls had 69 COVID patients, and Sanford USD had 78 COVID patients.
Schools in the area have been impacted, as well.
The Baltic School District closed their high school to face-to-face learning for the week of October 19, as seven staff members were out with COVID and 5 high school students were confirmed as positive. The district currently has a total of eight positive cases among students.
Garretson School District confirmed more cases in its letter to parents last week Wednesday, noting that at least two middle school students and “a number” of high school students had tested positive. One staff member had been out, but had returned to their duties as of last week. Superintendent Guy Johnson noted that he would not be providing weekly case numbers to parents or the community at large.
Baltic is releasing its numbers on a Google Doc that is accessible on its school website.
Similar to Garretson School District’s mask model, Baltic School District requires masks on school vehicles, in hallways, and anytime students are on the move.
“Masks work,” Avera administrator Dr. David Basel said. But that needs to be combined with other mitigation measures, such as distancing and hand hygiene.
And despite sometimes feeling like the United States has become a more selfish society, Mayor TenHaken said, “If you want to live in a state that gives you freedom, that comes with responsibility.” He asks all area residents to act with selfless-ness.
By implementing all of the mitigation measures, we can protect the more vulnerable in our society by reducing the spread.
“…The way to confront both the virus and the societal fallout from it isn’t to wave the white flag and surrender,” wrote Dr. Frieden. “We must fight smarter. We can protect the vulnerable and get our jobs and economy back.”
