In South Dakota: 13 COVID-19 deaths, active cases hit new all-time high again

A graphic of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, that causes COVID-19.

By Jeremy Fugleberg

January 19, 2022 at 2:22 PM

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Active COVID-19 cases in South Dakota hit an all-time high and hospitalizations hit a 13-month high as state health officials on Wednesday, Jan. 19, reported 13 South Dakotans had died with COVID-19.

The two most serious measures of the pandemic, hospitalizations and fatalities, both jumped significantly. The 13 fatalities raise the state's COVID-19 death toll to 2,573, with 85 deaths reported in January thus far. The COVID-19 daily hospitalization tally jumped significantly, climbing 44 to 392. Of those, 76 are in intensive care.

The active case count, which measures new positive cases against new recoveries, climbed again on Wednesday, rising 3,948 to an all-time high of 32,761.

The South Dakota Department of Health reported thousands of new positive cases and recoveries on Wednesday, a roundup of data submitted to the department between Friday afternoon to Tuesday afternoon due to the long holiday weekend.

The following are the state Department of Health COVID-19 case rates, deaths, hospitalizations and vaccinations tracked by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as of Wednesday. All data are the latest available but should be considered preliminary and could be updated at a later date by health officials.

Vaccinations

INITIAL DOSE ADMINISTERED (IF 2-DOSE VACCINE): 641,168 people, 72.5% of state's population*
FULLY VACCINATED: 513,135 people, 58% of state's population
BOOSTER DOSE RECEIVED: 190,237 people, 37.1% of state's vaccinated population

*Note: The percentage presented here via the CDC differs from the state Department of Health percentage posted on its online dashboard, because the department's data indicates percentage of state population age 5 and older, not the state's total population.

Statewide case rates

NEW CASES: 6,483 (seven-day daily average: 2,550)*
CURRENT ACTIVE CASES: 32,761
TOTAL CASES: 211,885
TOTAL RECOVERED: 176,551

*Note: Wednesday reported total includes cases submitted to the state Department of Health over a three-day holiday weekend.

Hospitalizations, deaths

NEW HOSPITALIZATIONS: 119 (seven-day daily average: 36)
ACTIVE HOSPITALIZATIONS: 392
TOTAL HOSPITALIZATIONS: 9,577
DEATHS, NEWLY REPORTED AMONG CASES: 13
TOTAL DEATHS AMONG CASES: 2,573

By Jeremy Fugleberg

Jeremy Fugleberg is editor of The Vault, Forum Communications Co.'s home for Midwest history, mysteries, crime and culture. He is also a member of the company's Editorial Advisory Board.