South Dakota reports 14 more COVID-19 deaths, hospitalizations down

The South Dakota Department of Health reported 14 additional deaths of people with COVID-19 on Wednesday, while both active cases and hospitalizations decreased.

The latest deaths included two people ages 50-59, six people 60-69, three people 70-79 and three 80 or older. Eight were women and six were men. A total of 2,623 South Dakotans have died while testing positive for COVID-19.

Occupied hospital beds by COVID-positive patients decreased by 27 to 396.

The state reported 1,508 new infections. More than a quarter of the state's population has tested positive for COVID-19, but that number is likely far lower than the true infection rate.

New cases included 221 Minnehaha County residents and 58 Lincoln County residents. Codington County had 75 new cases and Brown County, 71.

Active infections fell by 607. There were 35,523 active cases in the state.

An additional 340 people received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine through the state vaccination program.

More: COVID-19 vaccine mandate back on for Sioux Falls public health workers after Supreme Court ruling

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: South Dakota reports 14 COVID deaths, 1,508 new cases