THURSDAY UPDATE: Mass testing at Smithfield plant in Sioux Falls causes jump in South Dakota’s COVID-19 numbers

May 7, 2020
Mike Tanner

PIERRE, S.D.—Just as Governor Noem had predicted, South Dakota has seen an uptick in COVID-19 infections after a mass testing event in Sioux Falls.

The State Health Department reported 126 new cases of the virus Thursday, bringing the cumulative total to 2, 905. Of that number, 2,028 are listed as recovered.

The number of active cases in the state jumped to 846—an increase of 73 cases from Wednesday.

The death toll is at 31, up from 29 the day before.

The governor says more than 2,600 employees of the Smithfield pork plant in Sioux Falls and their family members were tested for COVID-19 this week, which she said would be reflected in the Health Department’s numbers.

Codington County is listed as having one active case.