BROOKINGS – The state is reporting seven new COVID-19 deaths and 187 new cases in South Dakota Saturday.

Two of the new cases are in Brookings County.

Brookings County cases have risen to 3,581 total cases (two new confirmed): 3,491 of those people have recovered (five new), with 53 active cases (down by three) and 37 deaths (no change). A total of 11,779 people (23 new) have tested negative in Brookings County, and 127 people (no change) in the county have been hospitalized at some point, the state reported.

There is one COVID-19 occupied hospital bed at the Brookings Hospital, the DOH website reported Saturday.

Brookings County remains in the “substantial” community spread category.

The number of COVID-19 cases in South Dakota rose to 112,293 (187 new – 140 confirmed plus 47 probable) as of midday Saturday, according to the South Dakota Department of Health.

Of the statewide cases, 1,910 are classified as active (down by 34 from Friday). As of Saturday, 108,497 people have recovered (213 new), 6,610 South Dakotans have been hospitalized at some point (19 new), 91 people are currently hospitalized (down by five) for transmission-based precautions, and 1,886 people have died (seven new).

The SDDOH website reports 309,734 people (553 new) have tested negative in South Dakota.

The new deaths are among two women and five men. Increases are being reported in Dewey, Gregory, Hughes, Minnehaha, Pennington (3) and Perkins counties. The age ranges of the deceased are one 20-29 years, one 30-39 years, two 50-59 years, one 60-69 years and two 70-79 years.

The total number of deaths decreased by one in Hamlin County, which is usually an indication that a case has been reassigned to a different county.

Increases in positive cases Saturday include, but are not limited to, nine in Brown County, 10 in Codington, 13 in Lincoln, 48 in Minnehaha, 19 in Pennington and 12 in Roberts.

The SDDOH website reported midday Saturday that 214,507 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to 140,217 people in South Dakota.

In Brookings County, 6,320 vaccine doses have been administered to 4,498 people.

The figures released by the state Department of Health do not include individuals who are asymptomatic or have symptoms of the coronavirus but are not being tested.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.

Learn more at www.covid.sd.gov.