SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) –The South Dakota National Guard is sending nine of its soldiers to five Black Hills communities to assist with testing individuals with COVID-19.
Monument Health requested extra help from the state after Governor Kristi Noem reached out to the three in-state hospital systems, asking if they needed any assistance.
The federally funded mission will send troops to Belle Fourche, Custer, Rapid City, Sturgis and Spearfish.
COVID-19 cases have quickly increased in several western South Dakota communities in recent weeks.
Meade County, which hosted the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally earlier this month, leads the state in new cases per capita.
