COVID-19 hospitalizations decline in South Dakota amid uptick in new infections

New COVID-19 infections continued to rise modestly during the past week, while hospitalizations went down, the South Dakota Department of Health reported Wednesday.

Three additional deaths were reported, all older than age 60. One was 60-69, one 70-79 and one 80 or older. Two were women and one was a man.

Occupied hospital beds by COVID-positive patients fell from 38 to 25. Three of those were intensive care beds.

Since April 27, 373 new COVID-19 infections were reported. After dropping to below 20 new infections a day in early April, the seven-day average of new cases has grown to 53.

Coronavirus infections have been reported in 238,185 residents.

More: South Dakota Health Department confirms mysterious case of hepatitis in a child

Minnehaha County residents accounted for 131 of the new infections. Lincoln County saw 30, Codington County, 15 and Brown County, seven.

Active infections statewide increased from 540 to 766.

The percentage of eligible residents who have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine now exceeds 82%, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: COVID-19 hospitalizations decline as cases increase in South Dakota