SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - South Dakota experienced all-time highs for active coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths on Thursday.
The Department of Health reported 14 people had died from COVID-19, bringing the state’s death toll to 272 people. September was the state’s deadliest month of the pandemic as health officials reported 56 deaths. But the state is on-pace to see far more deaths in October, recording 49 deaths in the month so far.
The state has seen the nation’s second-highest number of cases per capita over the last two weeks. There were roughly 711 new cases per 100,000 people, according to Johns Hopkins researchers.
Health officials reported that 536 people have tested positive for the coronavirus, bringing the state’s active case count to 4,673.
The number of hospitalizations increased to an all-time high once again as 284 people required hospital treatment. As hospitals have diverted patients depending on the level of care they need, some have had to be transferred to out-of-state hospitals.
But the Department of Health has said that there is plenty of hospital capacity in the state and that some hospitals are even caring for patients from other states.
The Department of Health reported that 38% of hospital beds and 25% of Intensive Care Units are open.
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