Huber: “If you would prefer that you just as soon die right now from COVID, then don’t get vaccinated. I know that sounds rather harsh, but that’s the reality that we have, today.”

According to the state Department of Health’s covid.sd.gov website, 57.54% of eligible South Dakotans have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and 63.25% of those eligible have had at least one shot. Today’s (Sept. 16, 2021) update also shows there are 214 people currently hospitalized because of the virus.

Dr. Tom Huber is a physician at the Sanford Health Clinic in Pierre and is also the site director for the Pierre Rural Family Medicine Residency Program– a joint effort between Sanford and Avera. He says the vaccines are keeping people out of the hospitals.

Huber says the COVID virus is hitting unvaccinated people the hardest.

Huber says he’s frustrated by the resistance to getting vaccinated.

Huber says medical staff continue to work hard, but they’re exhausted. Medical facilities across the country are reporting employees quitting, compounding the major shortage of doctors, nurses and other medical employees.