The city of Sioux Falls has issued a state of emergency in response to the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus in Minnehaha County.

The move, coming just days after South Dakota's first confirmed COVID-19 cases, will force the cancellation or postponement of dozens of events scheduled in the coming weeks at facilities like the Denny Sanford Premier Center, the Washington Pavilion and the Orpheum Theater as the emergency declaration limits all large gatherings on city-owned facilities to 250 people or less.

"It's critical to understand that every single person in this community has a responsibility right now in helping slow the spread," TenHaken said during a press conference at City Hall on Wednesday evening. "Collectively, we can make a difference."

Since Monday, there have been three confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Minnehaha County.

TenHaken said limiting large gatherings is believed to help slow the spread so not to overwhelm the Sioux Falls health system, something experienced in other parts of the country where confirmed cases surged in a matter of days.

Coronavirus in South Dakota:Confirmed cases, latest news and updates

"We've talked to some colleagues in cities that are dealing with this much more extensively than we are, and they're hanging on, barely," he said. "We're in a unique position right now where we can be proactive in the slowing of the spread."

Sioux Falls Health Director Jill Franken said a surge in the number of cases can be debilitating for area hospitals and clinics.

"One of the things that would likely happen if we didn't take action to implement some social distancing measures in this community would be a rapid spike in cases like we're seeing in Italy right now," she said. "When you see that rapid spike, you are taxing your health systems with people who need to be critically served and even in your clinical outpatient areas to the point they cannot manage those patients."

Declaring an emergency also suspends bid requirements and meeting notice rules, allowing TenHaken to call an emergency meeting of the city council without first publishing the agenda.

To make the declaration binding, TenHaken called a special city council meeting Thursday evening at Carnegie Town Hall where the measures to restrict crowds and declare a formal emergency were legislatively approved.

The council meeting followed a separate emergency meeting of the Sioux Falls Health Board, which also vetted the recommendations.

The restrictions on large gatherings only apply to city-owned buildings, not private events venues.

TenHaken, however, said those private operations should consider doing the same.

"These are steps we're taking and we'd encourage our community partners to follow suit," he said. "We think it's a best practice, so I would encourage those who have events coming up ... just to think twice."

Aside from the Premier Center, the Washington Pavilion and the Orpheum, the restrictions also apply to the arena, convention center and the Midco Aquatics Center, which will be closed through March 27.

Other closings:

Parks and Recreation Department and Siouxland Libraries have canceled events for the next 14 days.

Community centers will be closed except for after-school activities until 6 p.m. during the business week.

The Washington Pavilion will close the Kirby Science Center and Visual Arts Museum until March 27.

Leonardo's Cafe, the box office, small group gatherings and preschool activities at the Washington Pavilion will continue as scheduled. The box office at the Premier Center will remain open during normal business hours.

The emergency declaration takes effect at midnight Friday morning, forcing the cancellation of this weekend's Sioux Falls Sportsmen Show, which kicked off the annual four-day event Thursday.

Coronavirus:List of cancellations and closures because of Covid-19 precautions

Healthcare system capacity

Officials with Avera Health and Sanford Health say they're trying to "get ahead" of the virus and the effects the coronavirus has had on other communities in the United States and internationally.

Officials with the healthcare systems and with the city reviewed the healthcare systems' capacity for treating individuals based on recent outbreaks. The city hopes to prevent and slow outbreak numbers to keep patients within treatment capacity levels.

Avera Health and Sanford Health representatives did not release bed capacity numbers in the Sioux Falls area. The officials with both healthcare systems advised people to call their physician instead of going to a clinic if they have respiratory symptoms.

Emergency Operations

TenHaken said the city will open an emergency operations center at the Sioux Falls Law Enforcement beginning Thursday. It will be manned by multiple health and government agencies to ensure a streamlined response as the coronavirus response.

It will be open indefinitely.

"Depending on how long this pandemic is an issue in the city, we will keep it open as long as we need to," TenHaken said.

Councilors voted 7-0 in support of the emergency measures during the special meeting, each in attendance championing the city's efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Councilor Marshall Selberg said while he understands the urgency of the situation, he cautioned people to stay calm..

"A lot of us have been weighing the notion: Is it media hype? Is it too much? Is it something to keep the networks with high ratings? But the next thing you know, it's right here in Sioux Falls," he said. "I think our local government is doing the right thing today.

"But folks, lets keep our powder dry and be cautious. ... Don't panic. We're going to be OK," he added.

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