The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 data tracker shows an 18.1% test positivity rate for the week ending Aug. 10, the highest it has been since January 2022. Wastewater surveillance, “an early warning sign of COVID-19’s spread in communities,” demonstrates “very high” viral activity for COVID-19 across the U.S. indicating positivity rates could be even higher than reported test results. CDC recommends that everyone ages six months and older receive a 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine.
In advance of the respiratory virus season, the Department of Health and Human Services Aug. 19 launched a new public education campaign on common respiratory viruses and available vaccines including flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (commonly known as RSV).
To view the South Dakota Department of Health’s COVID-19 dashboard, click here.
