Today’s (Dec. 17, 2021) update from the South Dakota Department of Health shows there are around 250 (254) South Dakotans currently hospitalized because of COVID-19.
Avera Health’s Dr. David Basel says coronavirus numbers in South Dakota have been steadily increasing.
Sanford Health’s Dr. Mike Wilde says statistics show being vaccinated for COVID does lower your risk of needing to be hospitalized if you get the coronavirus.
Number of COVID-19 patients in central SD hospitals as of 6pm yesterday (Dec. 16, 2021):
-
Avera Gettysburg— 1
-
Avera Gregory– 0
-
Avera Hand County Memorial– 0
-
Avera St. Mary’s Pierre– 5; 2 in ICU; 0 using ventilation
-
Bowdle Healthcare Center– 0
-
Cheyenne River Health Center– 1
-
Eureka Community Health Services– 0
-
Mobridge Regional Hospital– 0
-
Platte Health Center– 0
-
Sanford Chamberlain Medical Center– 0
-
Winner Regional Healthcare Center– 2
Coronavirus patients currently occupy 9.4% of the staffed hospital beds in the state. Other patients are using 55.8% of the staffed beds leaving 34.7% available. Of the staffed adult intensive care unit beds in the state, COVID-19 patients are using 33.2%, other patients occupy 37.3% and 29.5% are available to be used.
Health officials stress getting vaccinated or getting your booster for the holiday season. They also say if you think you just have a cold, go get tested because that’s the only way to make sure you’re not spreading COVID-19.
(KELO.com Radio contributed to this story.)
Comments