Coronavirus cases in South Carolina rise to 47, Richland County sees first case, health officials say
South Carolina health officials announced they have identified 14 new cases of the coronavirus Tuesday.
The announcement means the Palmetto State now has seen a total of 47 cases of the coronavirus spanning 13 counties. Officials also announced the first case in Richland County, but offered no additional details.
New cases announced Tuesday were in the following counties: one case in Beaufort, one in Calhoun, two in Charleston, one in Greenville, one in Horry, five in Kershaw, one in Lexington, one in Richland and one in York.
Specific details about each new case, like whether the patients have been hospitalized or how they may have contracted COVID-19, were not immediately available.
S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster also announced a sweeping executive order aimed at combating the virus. He ordered restaurants and bars to close their dine-in areas, banned gatherings of more than 50 people in state, county, city or publicly owned facilities, and allowed state agencies to waive regulations that hinder their coronavirus response.
McMaster also called for restaurant take out, curb-side service and delivery service be increased and, in an effort to help businesses, announced he was extending the state’s tax deadline until June 1.
“The idea behind this is to allow these businesses to maintain their cash flow during this crisis,” McMaster said.
Do you have questions about the coronavirus? The State will get the answers for you. Go to bit.ly/SCvirus and let us know what you need to know.
McMaster called on the national guard to begin planning with hospitals on how to set up mobile facilities to treat more patients if necessary.
“Our goal is to stay ahead, think ahead and to stop this virus,” McMaster said.
To help with any staffing issues at hospitals, DHEC is waiving regulations to allow medical and nursing students to help with operations at hospitals.
The governor requested hospitals and surgical centers halt all elective procedures for the next 72 hours to free up equipment and staff to help patients who come in and may have the virus.
DHEC said about half of the hospital beds in the state are taken up by people having elective procedures.
He asked for insurance companies to pay for the full costs associated with doctors visits, such as tests and procedures, to determine if someone has coronavirus.
Monday afternoon, state health officials reported several new cases, bringing the total to 33 cases of COVID-19. Tidelands Waccamaw Community Hospital in Murrells Inlet reported an additional case Monday night.
Most of the cases have been from Kershaw County.
State health officials also announced Monday the first coronavirus-related death in South Carolina, a patient who was a resident of a Lexington Medical Center nursing home.
McMaster has asked state lawmakers to make $45 million available to help state agencies respond to COVID-19. Legislative leaders vowed to pass a joint resolution to make the funding available.
S.C. senators met Tuesday to pass the resolution before heading home for the rest of the week. The House is on furlough this week, but is expected to return Thursday to take up the funding bill.
Congress has already approved an emergency spending package that would send $8.9 million to the Palmetto State to help with the coronavirus response. On Friday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed an additional package that would provide free testing, paid sick leave and expand other programs to help those out of work due to COVID-19.
McMaster declared a state of emergency Friday afternoon. He also ordered that schools in Kershaw and Lancaster counties close for 14 days, the longest length of time it could take for someone to experience the symptoms of the coronavirus.
The governor also ordered election officials to postpone elections scheduled for March and April until after May 1.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
The coronavirus is spreading in the United States. Officials are urging people to take precautions to avoid getting sick, and to avoid spreading the disease if they do contract it.
Click the drop-down icon on this card for more on the virus and what you should do to keep yourself and those around you healthy.
What is coronavirus?
Coronavirus is an infection of the respiratory system similar to the flu. Coronaviruses are a class of viruses that regularly cause illnesses among adults and children, but this outbreak has spawned a new disease called COVID-19, a particularly harsh respiratory condition that can lead to death.
Health officials believe COVID-19 spread from animals to humans somewhere in China. It spreads among humans by physical person-to-person contact, including via coughs. That’s why health officials urge sick individuals to avoid contact with other people.
For more information, visit the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms are similar to the flu and include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
How can I stop the spread of the coronavirus?
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
If you develop symptoms similar to the coronavirus, you should seek medical attention. Stay home from work or school and avoid contact with others. It can take up to 14 days after coming into contact with the virus to develop symptoms.
COVID-19 is a new condition and there’s much about the disease we still don’t understand. For now, taking precautions is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
This story was originally published March 17, 2020 at 4:47 PM.
