Representatives from Sanford and Avera Health and the Sioux Falls Public Health Department held a joint news conference to outline their concerns about the surge in COVID infections.
Sanford Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Mike Wilde, says they are seeing more patients.
Meanwhile, the Mitchell, Yankton and Huron School Districts have all mandates masks be worn just the past week. Wilde says its necessary to reinstate more mitigation practices to slow down the spread, especially when it comes to schools.
Wilde says over 95% of those in the hospital being treated for COVID are not vaccinated. The latest numbers from Sanford from earlier in the week showed 136 COVID hospitalizations at Sanford Health, with just 7 of those vaccinated. 35 of the 37 people currently in the ICU are unvaccinated, along with 18 of the 19 currently on ventilators.