14 new COVID-19 deaths reported in South Dakota Friday

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - South Dakota surpassed 2,800 COVID-19 deaths as the state saw another spike in deaths Friday.

The Department of Health reported 14 new coronavirus deaths, bringing the state’s total to 2,802. Of the latest deaths, one victim was in their 40s, two in their 50s, one in their 60s, four in their 70s, and six over age 80.

Health officials also reported 136 new cases Friday. However, the state’s active cases continued to trend downward, falling over 300 to 5,348.

Current hospitalizations fell by eight to 171.

The state’s COVID-19 test positivity rate has fallen dramatically in recent weeks. Officials say the state’st seven-day test positivity average is 11.9%. This number surpassed 40% during the peak in January. It has averaged around 15.4% since the beginning of the pandemic.