All data in this article is released from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the South Dakota Department of Health. April 15th is a very important date to remember because that is the day when all statewide residents were eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in South Dakota. The date helps prove that the vaccine has improved numbers and the state was able to measure the new cases versus existing infections from when the vaccine was available. South Dakota overall has 66 counties, 44 of the 66 have seen a less than 20% increase in new cases. The 44 vaccinated counties see a 50% vaccination rate in those who are eligible residents and who are 12 and older. Out of the other 22 counties, 17 counties only have a 44% vaccine rate and also seen 20% of new cases since April 15th. There are the remaining 5 counties who have a vaccine rate of 39% and 50% of new cases. Overall, counties with higher vaccine rates have lower new case rates.

There is a major difference from 2020 to 2021 because since the end of September 2021 cases have been going down. Although, there was no difference in the 2020 and 2021 summer cases. In October 2020, the state of South Dakota was averaging 1,000 new cases every day. But there is a food for mind thought and that is does indoor activity and cooler weather reverse the low COVID-19 case numbers? Thankfully now with the vaccine being administered, we can now understand why cases in different counties are high or low. That was something we could not accomplish a year ago. As of October 28, 2021 the vaccination rate for Charles Mix county is 46.44%. What concerns me the most is that a lot of Wagner’s population consists of a variety of vulnerable populations and not many people are making the effort to help reduce the risk. Even people who are a part of that vulnerable population do not take precautions for themselves. Coming back home every other week and I see the majority of the town not wearing masks, social distancing or getting vaccinated really shows why we have the prevalence rate that we do. A goal that Wagner should have is improving their vaccination rates so that they can also improve their new cases rate and then that can reduce the at risk populations.

Amari Venus Weston

Health Sciences Major

Tiospaye Student Council

Wacipi Chair

AISES Co-President