MARSHALL — As the number of cases of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) grows in Minnesota and South Dakota, it’s getting more likely that the coronavirus will show up in the region. Both local health care providers and an area agricultural cooperative said Wednesday they are taking steps to prepare.

Avera Marshall announced it will be limiting visitors at the hospital and long-term care facility, and making some changes to its clinic locations to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. One of the biggest changes is that urgent care will only be offered at the Bruce Street clinic starting today. The Carlson Street clinic will be open for people who are well and have routine appointments.

“These precautions are necessary to minimize exposure to health care workers, residents and patients and to control the flow of patients as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH),” the announcement said.

CHS also announced Wednesday that it will be canceling the co-op’s upcoming annual meetings to help contain community spread of coronavirus. The canceled meetings include both a Friday meeting at the Caboose in Tracy, and a Monday meeting at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.

Avera Marshall said it’s taking several steps to protect patients, staff and community members:

• AveraNow at HyVee is closed until further notice.

• Urgent care will only be offered at the Bruce Street clinic location on the first floor, starting today.

• The Carlson Street clinic will be open for patients who are well and have routine appointments. Patients will also be screened to make sure they don’t have respiratory symptoms that need other care.

• The Emergency Department is open for emergencies.

• People who feel they may have been exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms — like fever of over 100 degrees, cough and shortness of breath — are asked to call 1-877-AT AVERA (282-8372) for instructions. Anyone who thinks they might have COVID-19 should call before going to the clinic or ED, to protect staff and other patients.

• Entrances into the Bruce Street clinic will be controlled at both the main and Emergency Department entrances. There will be signs and staff at entrances to direct people.

• Visitors are limited to essential visitors only in both the hospital and long-term care setting.

• Community programs at these sites have been canceled.

The announcements from Avera Marshall and CHS came the day after South Dakota reported its first five COVID-19 cases, including one death possibly linked to coronavirus. The office of South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem said the death was reported in Pennington County, in the western part of the state. As of Wednesday, the South Dakota Department of Health said the count was up to eight people who tested positive for COVID-19, including three people in Minnehaha County. Sioux Falls, S.D., is in Minnehaha County.

COVID-19 cases were also reported in Bon Homme, Charles Mix and Davison counties in southeastern South Dakota.

Minnesota health officials on Wednesday confirmed the state’s fourth and fifth cases of the coronavirus. MDH officials said one of the new cases was in Olmsted County, the other in Ramsey County. Previous cases were in Ramsey, Anoka and Carver counties.

Gov. Tim Walz on Tuesday signed a swiftly passed $21 million bill to bolster the state’s ability to manage the global coronavirus outbreak, the Associated Press reported.

Meanwhile, the University of Minnesota announced it will suspend in-person instruction at its five campuses at least through April 1. The university said it would extend spring breaks at the Duluth, Rochester and Twin Cities campuses through March 18. Crookston and Morris are slated to be off through March 20. After that, the university said, all students on all campuses will be taught virtually. Students were encouraged to stay home, but residence halls and dining services would stay open.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms like fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness.

The vast majority of people recover from the new virus, the Associated Press reported.