Screen grab of Gov. Kristi Noem's video announcing she is running for re-election, 11/12/21.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) –South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem says COVID-19 case numbers are not her primary concern as the state experiences a spike in infections.
Noem told news partner KWAT her office is instead focused on maintaining hospital capacity.
“We shouldn’t even be talking about cases,” Noem said, later adding, “What matters for the state of South Dakota is that we have the ability to take care of people, should they get sick, in our hospital system. So that’s a number we’ll be monitoring.”
COVID cases in South Dakota are up 241% over the last two weeks, according to the New York Times COVID Tracker. Hospitalizations are up 11% over that same period, though that indicator can lag.
Data from South Dakota’s health department said 35% of staffed hospital beds are available and 27% of ICU beds were available as of Thursday.
Noem is vaccinated, but has also been a vocal critic of vaccine mandates at the federal level.
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