• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • News
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
South Dakota Governor on Trump’s Mount Rushmore Event: ‘We Will Not Be Social Distancing’

South Dakota Governor: ‘We’re Seeing Elevated Positive Cases’ Because of Increased Coronavirus Testing

October 14, 2020
CRAIG RUCKER: UN’s ‘Plastics Treaty’ Sports A Junk Science Wrapper

CRAIG RUCKER: UN’s ‘Plastics Treaty’ Sports A Junk Science Wrapper

July 11, 2025
‘Chicken Little B*tch’: Democrat Rep Resorts To Vulgarities While Criticizing  Republican Colleague

‘Chicken Little B*tch’: Democrat Rep Resorts To Vulgarities While Criticizing Republican Colleague

July 10, 2025
Tim Walz’s State Under The Microscope For Potentially Discriminatory Hiring Practices

Tim Walz’s State Under The Microscope For Potentially Discriminatory Hiring Practices

July 10, 2025
Hegseth Announces Pentagon Plan For ‘Drone Dominance’

Hegseth Announces Pentagon Plan For ‘Drone Dominance’

July 10, 2025
Trump Admin To Kill Another Massive Green Boondoggle, Hawley Says

Trump Admin To Kill Another Massive Green Boondoggle, Hawley Says

July 10, 2025
Pro-Mamdani PAC Took Donation From Islamist Cleric Who Vouched For Terror Plot Mastermind

Pro-Mamdani PAC Took Donation From Islamist Cleric Who Vouched For Terror Plot Mastermind

July 10, 2025
CASEY RYAN: Woke Universities Cave To Trump Administration

CASEY RYAN: Woke Universities Cave To Trump Administration

July 10, 2025
Reporter Tells Tucker Carlson Clues Of Chinese Takeover Of America Hiding In Plain Sight

Reporter Tells Tucker Carlson Clues Of Chinese Takeover Of America Hiding In Plain Sight

July 10, 2025
Gavin Newsom Points Out That Far-Left Activism Is Synonymous With Breaking The Law

Gavin Newsom Points Out That Far-Left Activism Is Synonymous With Breaking The Law

July 10, 2025
EXCLUSIVE: Marsha Blackburn Pushes Back On Dems’ ‘Fearmongering’ About Trump’s ‘Beautiful’ Law

EXCLUSIVE: Marsha Blackburn Pushes Back On Dems’ ‘Fearmongering’ About Trump’s ‘Beautiful’ Law

July 10, 2025
Tom Homan Accuses Biden Admin Of ‘Lying’ About Properly Vetting After MS-13 Kingpin’s Capture

Tom Homan Accuses Biden Admin Of ‘Lying’ About Properly Vetting After MS-13 Kingpin’s Capture

July 10, 2025
Previously Detained Columbia Graduate Now Seeks Big Payday From Trump Admin

Previously Detained Columbia Graduate Now Seeks Big Payday From Trump Admin

July 10, 2025
  • Donald Trump
  • State of the Union
  • Elon Musk
  • Tariffs
  • Congress
  • Faith
  • Immigration
Friday, July 11, 2025
  • Login
IJR
  • Politics
  • US News
  • Commentary
  • World News
  • Faith
  • Latest Polls
No Result
View All Result
IJR
No Result
View All Result
Home IJR

South Dakota Governor: ‘We’re Seeing Elevated Positive Cases’ Because of Increased Coronavirus Testing

by Bradley Cortright
October 14, 2020 at 6:40 pm
in IJR
237 15
4
South Dakota Governor on Trump’s Mount Rushmore Event: ‘We Will Not Be Social Distancing’

(Gage Skidmore/Flickr)

491
SHARES
1.4k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Around the country, states are reporting record increases in the number of new COVID-19 cases. North Dakota and South Dakota are seeing the largest outbreak per capita. 

The Associated Press reports that South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) attributes the rise in cases to more tested. She said, “We have tripled the amount of testing that we are doing in the state of South Dakota, which is why we’re seeing elevated positive cases.”

“That’s normal, that’s natural, that’s expected,” Noem added.

The state, as with others, is experiencing a rise in cases. Hospitals in Sioux Falls have about 41% of their intensive care units available. The state has also seen a roughly 23% test positivity rate.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Noem told The Hill, “South Dakota remains focused on hospital capacity, not positive tests, as our primary means of monitoring the spread of the virus.”

The spokesperson added that Noem “has always said, we can’t stop the virus from spreading.”

However, “We can, however, ensure that we have the capacity to take care of those who get seriously ill, and we remain well within our capability to care for these individuals.”

In September, Noem responded to MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow, who noted the surge in cases in that state. Noem wrote, “Stop spreading fear. Only 8% of South Dakota’s hospital beds are occupied by COVID patients. We have and will continue to manage our resources to care for the people who need help.”

Stop spreading fear.

Only 8% of South Dakota’s hospital beds are occupied by COVID patients. We have and will continue to manage our resources to care for the people who need help.

The people of South Dakota have accomplished this WITHOUT draconian lockdowns. #FactsNotFear https://t.co/VIUPmMPaSm

— Governor Kristi Noem (@govkristinoem) September 24, 2020

“The people of South Dakota have accomplished this WITHOUT draconian lockdowns,” she added.

Noem has made headlines throughout the pandemic for her decision to buck recommendations to implement a lockdown to help slow the spread of the virus.

The state also hosted President Donald Trump for an Independence Day event at Mount Rushmore. Ahead of the event, Noem announced that state officials would not be enforcing social distancing.

And over the summer, she vowed that schools would be open in the fall.

Noem’s comments about the ongoing surge in cases are similar to Trump’s claims that “If we stop testing right now, we’d have very few cases, if any.”

Tags: Coronavirus Outbreak
Share196Tweet123
Bradley Cortright

Bradley Cortright

IJR, Senior Writer He's written for Independent Journal Review since 2019.

Advertisements

Top Stories June 10th
Top Stories June 7th
Top Stories June 6th
Top Stories June 3rd
Top Stories May 30th
Top Stories May 29th
Top Stories May 24th
Top Stories May 23rd
Top Stories May 21st
Top Stories May 17th

Join Over 6M Subscribers

We’re organizing an online community to elevate trusted voices on all sides so that you can be fully informed.





IJR

    Copyright © 2024 IJR

Trusted Voices On All Sides

  • About Us
  • GDPR Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Editorial Standards & Corrections Policy
  • Subscribe to IJR

Follow Us

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Politics
  • US News
  • Commentary
  • World News
  • Faith
  • Latest Polls

    Copyright © 2024 IJR

Top Stories June 10th Top Stories June 7th Top Stories June 6th Top Stories June 3rd Top Stories May 30th Top Stories May 29th Top Stories May 24th Top Stories May 23rd Top Stories May 21st Top Stories May 17th