South Dakota reports three cases of the Delta variant so far, but health officials are bracing for more.
South Dakota’s Secretary of Health Kim Malsam-Rysdon thinks it’s concerning.
“So we know Delta's here. We also know from data from other jurisdictions that it's more infectious than, than some of the other strains. And so that means it's going to spread easier,” she said.
Malsam-Rysdon said unvaccinated people will primarily contract and spread the Delta variant.
“It is worrisome from the standpoint of, it's preventable. Now that we're at the point of having vaccines that are effective,” she said. “We know that hospitalizations and deaths at this point are largely preventable, and we obviously don’t want to see those things happen”
When asked what attendees of the upcoming Sturgis motorcycle rally should know, Malsam-Rysdon said gatherings can be safe for vaccinated people. But she said unvaccinated people should employ other mitigation strategies like wearing a mask, avoiding crowded locations, practicing social-distancing and washing their hands.
Head to www.doh.sd.gov for more information.
Malsam-Rysdon Hopes More Access Means More Shots In Arms
57 percent of South Dakotans 12 and older are fully vaccinated, but health officials are aiming for 70 percent.
Vaccination rates have slowed in the state. Hesitancy to get a COVID shot is high-- particularly in rural communities.
Kim Malsam-Rysdon is the state’s Secretary of Health. She hopes an increase in access points may help.
“The ways you can make vaccinations most convenient is to couple it with things that people are already doing,” she said. “So, if you're going to a pharmacy, let's say for other reasons, and it's easy to get a shot there. The other thing that we've seen is the ability for people to get shots at their doctor's office.”
Malsam-Rysdon said getting vaccinated is the most effective way to protect yourself and others from the coronavirus. She adds it’s particularly important since the state has reported three cases of the highly contagious Delta variant.
Go to www.covid.se.gov for more information on where to get vaccinated in your area.
This story comes from a recent interview on SDPB's weekday radio program, "In the Moment." Listen to the full interview below.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been changed to reflect a clarification. The change more accurately reflects South Dakota Department of Health Secretary Kim Malsam-Rysdon's comments about the Sturgis motorcycle rally.