Minnehaha, Lincoln counties see 'high spread' level of COVID-19 in South Dakota

Much of South Dakota is again considered to be "high spread" for COVID-19, according to the most recent data available from the South Dakota Department of Health.

The DOH reported 3,299 active cases across the state as of Wednesday. That's up from 3,101 active cases the week before.

Only seven counties are currently considered to have low spread of the virus as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Three counties are considered moderate spread, three are substantial and the rest are considered to be high spread areas, including Minnehaha and Lincoln counties, the data shows.

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Of those active cases this week, however, 1,182 were new and probable cases, according to the department. That's down from 1,254 new and probable cases the week prior.

Minnehaha County saw 244 new confirmed cases, while Lincoln County had 68. Codington County had 55, and Brown County, 36. Pennington County had 246 new cases.

Hospitalizations also saw an increase this week, up 13 from last week's 53, according to the health department. Overall hospital bed capacity, however, sits at 43% available. The majority of the 66 COVID cases in the hospital are at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, with 15, while the rest are spread throughout the state, according to the health department.

More than 74% of the state ages 5 years and older has also received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, the DOH reported.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Minnehaha, Lincoln counties see 'high spread' level of COVID