New coronavirus cases continue to surge in South Dakota. 

More than 300 more South Dakotans have coronavirus, and three more have died from the disease, according to the latest data being shared by the South Dakota Department of Health Friday.

Of the 2,524 tests results reported in the state’s COVID-19 update, 323 came back positive for a daily positive rate of 12.8%. That’s a slight drop from 343 new cases reported Thursday.

Still, it’s the second-highest single day increase in new cases of the infectious disease and comes as schools and colleges across South Dakota reopen.

Of the new cases reported Friday, 69 were among people under the age of 20. And of those, 61 were in people between the ages of 10 and 19.

Pennington County saw the biggest increase of cases Friday, with 73. Other notable increases: 51 in Minnehaha, 23 in Codington, 22 in Clay, 16 in Brookings and 14 in Brown and Lincoln.

With three more COVID-19-related deaths, the death toll for the state increased to 165. The new deaths reported were people aged 30-39, 50-59 and 80+.

In all, 12,517 South Dakotans have been diagnosed with the disease since the start of the pandemic in March, and 1,091 in the last four days.

Today, there are 2,182 active cases in the state. And while more than 10,000 have recovered from the virus, new cases continue to outpace recoveries. The state health department is reporting 182 people were added to the recovery list Friday.

The week ends with five more coronavirus patients being treated in South Dakota hospitals, and in all, 80 hospital beds are being used by people battling COVID-19. Since the start of the pandemic, 995 have ever been hospitalized with the virus.

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