To prevent spread of COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends “social distancing.”
Limit close contact with people:
- Limit physical contact, including handshakes
- Avoid hugging or kissing people who are sick or showing symptoms of illness, keep your distance about six feet away
- Limit in-person meetings, using phone, email and other communication tools when possible.
- Increase physical space when you are working or talking with others out in public
Stay home from work, school, church or other group gatherings if you are ill with these symptoms:
- Fever of 100° or higher
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Sore throat
Identify actions to take if you need to postpone or cancel events:
- Officials may ask you to modify, postpone or cancel large events for the safety and well-being of your event staff, participants and the community.
- If possible, plan alternative ways for participants to enjoy the events by television, radio or online.
Also:
- Avoid crowds, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. Your risk of exposure to respiratory viruses like COVID-19 may increase in crowded, closed-in settings with little air circulation if there are sick people in the crowd.
- Reduce or limit large gatherings.
- Limit non-essential travel.
Avera has temporarily suspended public events, support groups and conferences to decrease the risk of exposure.
Avera hospitals will allow only one visitor at a time per patient, and the visitor cannot have been exposed to COVID-19, have influenza or flu-like symptoms.
The SD Department of Health is providing updated COVID-19 information, including number of cases in the state, at COVID.SD.GOV.
