PIERRE, S.D. (KELO.com) — KELO.com News asked the South Dakota Department of Health a series of questions about the timeline regarding the spread of coronavirus at the Sioux Falls Smithfield Foods pork packing plant.
Below are KELO.com News’ questions and the department’s verbatim responses.
1. When did the SDDOH know of the first case at Smithfield?
3/24/2020
2. When was the patient notified about their infection?
Clinicians provide the initial notification to patients of their COVID-19 diagnosis.
3. When was Smithfield notified about the positive test?
3/24/2020
4. When was the City of Sioux Falls notified about the positive test?
SD-DOH has the responsibility for investigating reportable diseases, such as COVID-19, and the City of Sioux Falls does not receive notification of every positive case in a business. However, the Department of Health has been in daily communication with the City of Sioux Falls since the community began experiencing substantial community spread. In addition, the Department has a representative in the City of Sioux Fall’s emergency operations center.
5. Did Smithfield ask the SDDOH for advice on how to prevent additional infections? If so, when was that date?
SD-DOH has worked closely with Smithfield since the time of their first positive case.
6. When did the SDDOH realize that they had a potential hotspot on their hands with Smithfield?
SD-DOH investigates all cases and informs employers, close contacts, and the public if there is a potential for spread of COVID-19.
7. Anything else you’d like to add?
CDC issued their guidance for critical infrastructure on April 8th
