Coronavirus updates from the Capitol

This week, I will again mention a few numbers so we maintain some degree of perspective as to the ongoing pandemic. Those numbers are a comparison of the “regular flu” virus and COVID-19, as well as state revenue numbers.

SD Health Statistics

As of April 25, 2020, statistics for the regularly tested types of influenza (Types A and B), reveal there have been 14,776 positive tests out of a total of 26,217 tests. Of those testing positive for the regular types of flu, there have been 566 hospitalized to date and 32 deaths.

As of May 3, 2020, there have been nearly 16,000 negative tests for COVID-19 and over 2,600 positive cases.  197 people have been hospitalized since tracking began with 71 currently hospitalized. There have been 21 deaths. 

As we know, not everyone gets tested when they have flu-like symptoms. That is true as to both “seasonal flu” and COVID-19. So, the comparison serves only to let us know that we are always faced with seasonal health challenges, but we certainly grieve with those who have lost friends or family.

I do think it’s important to maintain a comparison perspective as the statistics on this particular virus become better established. It seems clear that the information from other nations, and some states, might have been underreported from China and overreported from some eastern states and a few of the European countries.  

Obviously, due to its severe impact on some with underlying health conditions, this is a virus that at least compares with some versions of flu that we have seen in the U.S. in the past 20 years. Our reaction in this case was dramatically different due to inaccurate information coming from many sources. Now, we are left to pick up the pieces for both our health care and our economy.

Governor Noem has announced a “back to normal” plan. However, some of her Executive Orders remain in place. Such as Executive Order 2020-18, which states that certain vulnerable people in Minnehaha and Lincoln counties “shall” remain isolated and “shall” do certain things, such as “wash hands often” and “clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces. This Executive Order remains in effect until May 11, 2020.

All in all, I think the people of South Dakota have responded well, given the flood of information from across our country and across the world, which has oftentimes been a mix of bad information along with political rhetoric.  

Revenue numbers

These are the other numbers to consider, that is the state’s reduced revenues. Clearly, our revenue numbers will be greatly diminished beginning in March and continuing throughout the summer. Hopefully, we will see some recovery by this fall. In the meantime, I have heard from some of you as to how we should handle these challenging financial times. I would certainly like to hear from others as well. Your suggestions are an important part of addressing the likely revision to our state’s budget. We do have money coming from the federal programs, and we do have reserves for such a time as this. So, all of that will enter in to our ultimate plan.    

As always, please feel free to contact me at steven.haugaard@sdlegislature.gov