South Dakota Health officials report 50 new COVID-19 cases

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota health officials reported 50 new confirmed coronavirus cases on Monday, as the total statewide rose to 1,685.

Officials reported fewer new cases than any day last week. All but seven of the new cases were reported in Minnehaha County, where cases tied to an outbreak at a Smithfield pork processing plant has accounted for over half the cases in the state. Smithfield employees accounted for 23 of the confirmed cases announced Monday. In total, 748 employees at the plant and 143 of their close contacts have tested positive.

State epidemiologist Josh Clayton said the downturn in new cases did not necessarily mean that the spread of infections is slowing. The state would need to see several days of fewer confirmed cases to point to a downturn.

So far, seven people have died in South Dakota from COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.