PIERRE, S.D. —South Dakota health officials said a COVID-19 vaccine is expected to become available in mid-November, though that timeline isn’t set in stone.
Department of Health Secretary Kim Malsam-Rysdon said when the vaccine arrives it will be administered to vulnerable populations, such as health care personnel, other essential workers, people with underlying medical conditions, those over the age of 65, racial and ethnic minority groups, tribal community members, incarcerated individuals, homeless shelters, colleges and universities, persons living in or working in congregate settings, rural communities, persons with disabilities and uninsured or underinsured people, according to the state’s distribution plan.
South Dakota reported nine more deaths on Wednesday, Oct. 28, bringing the death toll to 384.
The deaths included one person in their 50s, one in their 60s, one in their 70s and six over age 80.
Current hospitalizations increased to 412, up 17 from Tuesday.
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That leaves 31% of hospital beds and 34 % of intensive care unit beds available.
An additional 745 active cases were reported on Wednesday, for a total of 11,933 active cases in the state.
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