SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Gov. Kristi Noem says South Dakota is preparing to handle as many as 5,000 hospitalizations when coronavirus infections peak in June. 

She predicts that up to 600,000 people could become infected while the disease runs its course and anywhere from 30% to 70% of the population will get infected. 

The Republican governor plans to keep South Dakota among the dwindling number of states to not issue stay-at-home orders, calculating that the state’s hospitals will be ready by mid-June to handle the peak of infections. 

Noem says she is not sure what the death toll from the virus will be.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Gov. Kristi Noem says South Dakota is preparing to handle as many as 5,000 hospitalizations when coronavirus infections peak in June. She predicts that up to 600,000 people could become infected while the disease runs its course and anywhere from 30% to 70% of the population will get infected. The Republican governor plans to keep South Dakota among the dwindling number of states to not issue stay-at-home orders, calculating that the state’s hospitals will be ready by mid-June to handle the peak of infections. Noem says she is not sure what the death toll from the virus will be.

Noem: Up to 70% of South Dakota may get the coronavirus