The South Dakota Department of Health on Saturday reported 54 new deaths from COVID-19.<br />According to Business Insider, the number surpassed the state's previous record death total of 53.<br />But that didn't stop South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem from tweeting state residents and encouraging them to go shopping.<br />The GOP governor has refused to issue a statewide mask mandate.<br />She has also disputed science and calls to enact stricter measures to contain the virus in the state.
