Noem expects COVID-19 infections to peak in about eight weeks
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SIOUX FALLS (AP) — Gov. Kristi Noem said Tuesday that South Dakota may be as much as eight weeks away from the peak of the COVID-19 crisis and needs to limit business activity, even as President Donald Trump considers relaxing national guidance.
“This situation is not going to be over in a week. ... We have another eight weeks until we see our peak infection rate,” Noem told reporters.
The Republican governor said she’ll continue to support restrictions on businesses and social gatherings. She expects infections to increase and is bracing the state’s health care system for a surge of patients.
When asked if she is considering lifting her executive order that recommends businesses to limit gatherings to 10 or fewer people, she said she hasn’t ordered any businesses to close. The move to ask, rather than demand, that businesses and municipalities self-regulate has irked some mayors who are calling for statewide enforcement.
“Any changes we make for how we conduct our daily lives have to be sustained,” Noem said.