SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — Mayor Paul TenHaken gave the first City coronavirus briefing since the passage of the penalty-less mask mandate by the Sioux Falls City Commission last week.
He said things appeared to be going well so far with the new ordinance.
TenHaken also said that though cases in the Sioux Falls metro area were still high, they were beginning to plateau.
As to travel for Thanksgiving, he said he would just be celebrating the holiday with his immediate family. TenHaken said he wasn’t going to tell others what to do.
One of the hospital medical officers also said they would have a low-key Thanksgiving.
City Health Director Jill Franken again advised area residents to wear a mask, social distance, and wash hands frequently.
The Avera and Sanford doctors said about 20-25% of their hospital capacity is being taken up by coronavirus patients. As of Monday, the state health department website said there were currently 582 South Dakotans in hospital and that there are 17, 350 current cases. There have been 819 deaths and 55,679 recoveries during the pandemic.
Click here to watch Monday’s news conference.
