SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — The South Dakota National Guard has been activated to help with the state’s response to COVID-19.
The governor’s office confirmed Tuesday that soldiers are in the Black Hills conducting virus examinations but had no further details.
Guard members were notified via email that units are being deployed to assist with testing for Monument Health in Rapid City and could be needed in Sturgis, Spearfish, Deadwood and Custer.
The state Department of Health reported Tuesday that Pennington County, where Rapid City is located, had more than twice as many new COVID-19 cases than any other county in the state.
The number of people on ventilators in Rapid City also more than doubled since Monday’s update.