Coronavirus

South Dakotans,

I have added a coronavirus resource page to my website to keep South Dakotans updated on the latest coronavirus developments. Information will be added regularly, and you can also follow me on Twitter at @RepDustyJohnson or on Facebook at Representative Dusty Johnson for updated information.

As your representative, I'm here to serve you. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to reach out to my offices in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen, or Washington.

Sincerely,

Congressional Action

President Donald Trump signed the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act into law on Friday, March 6. The bill provided $7.8 billion in additional funding for federal, state, and local government responses to the coronavirus, including $4 billion for additional diagnostic tests, treatments, and vaccine development.

The bill also included nearly $1 billion for state and local response efforts. South Dakota will receive funds, which will be used for personal protective equipment and medical supplies, grants for local health departments and hospitals, and equipment to test samples.

Resources

• The CDC's main coronavirus homepage
• South Dakota Department of Health coronavirus homepage
• Facts About the Coronavirus
• Coronavirus: What You Need To Know

For Our Communities:

• Guides for childcare programs and K-12 administrators
• Information for parents and guardians about talking with children about coronavirus
• CDC's guide to creating a household plan

Staying Healthy:

• Make sure to wash your hands.
• Refrain from touching your face.
• If you're feeling sick, stay at home.

More tips are available on the CDC's website here.

Travel Assistance:

• CDC travel health notices can be found here.
• International travel guidance issued by the Department of State is available here.
• State Department and specific country advisories are listed here.

If you have symptoms of coronavirus – fever, cough, shortness of breath – and have been in close contact with a person known to have coronavirus or have recently traveled from an area with widespread or ongoing community spread of coronavirus, make sure to contact your health care provider immediately.

If you think you may have coronavirus, the CDC recommends calling your provider ahead of time for guidance on how the facility is handling cases before visiting the hospital in order to keep others from being exposed.