The South Dakota Public Health Lab in Pierre is no longer able to test for the COVID-19 virus because it’s run out of the supplies needed to run the tests. The department website says it was able to run tests for medium and high-risk patients on Monday. However, the lab did not receive additional supplies as expected to run tests beyond March 16, and there’s no time frame of when these supplies will be available from the Centers for Disease Control or its commercial suppliers.
Avera Queen of Peace CEO Tom Clark says if you’re awaiting a test or not feeling well, please follow the State Health Department guidelines and self-isolate until testing is available or test results are complete.