Patient tests positive for coronavirus in Lowcountry, Dorchester County officials say
Another case of coronavirus was confirmed in South Carolina Wednesday morning when a patient tested positive for COVID-19 at a Lowcountry health facility.
The Department of Health and Environmental Control confirmed a patient at Summerville Medical Center tested positive, Dorchester County officials said in a news release.
The patient is a Charleston County resident who was taken to Summerville Medical Center in a personal vehicle, according to the release.
The patient remains hospitalized at Summerville Medical Center, officials said.
Information on how the person contracted coronavirus was not available.
This brings the total of positive coronavirus cases in South Carolina to 48, following Tuesday afternoon’s update from DHEC.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
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.
Two new cases of COVID-19 from Charleston County were reported Tuesday, but this is the first positive coronavirus test from Dorchester County, according to DHEC.
Officials said Summerville Medical Center is restricting visitors to select entrances, and patients showing symptoms of COVID-19 are masked and immediately isolated.
More than half of the positive coronavirus cases have been reported in the Midlands, primarily in Kershaw County where 22 patients have been identified.
The first positive test for COVID-19 in Richland County was reported Tuesday, while three patients have tested positive in Lexington County. That includes an elderly man who died, and is currently the only coronavirus patient in South Carolina confirmed to have passed away.
This is the eighth confirmed case in the Lowcountry, according to DHEC. There have been four patients who tested positive for COVID-19 in Beaufort County, and three more in Charleston County, DHEC reported.
To reduce the spread of coronavirus, events of more than 50 people in a state, county, city, or other publicly-owned facility are prohibited, except for essential government functions, according to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division.
Symptoms of coronavirus vary from mild to severe and include coughing, sneezing and shortness of breath, according to the CDC.
The best way to prevent infection is to frequently wash hands for 20 seconds; avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth; avoid contact with sick people and clean frequently touched objects with a cleaning spray or wipe, according to the CDC. DHEC also recommends covering your cough, staying home when sick, and disposing tissues and other items that you’ve sneezed or coughed into.
DHEC is encouraging people to practice “social distancing” to help stop the spread of the virus. Social distancing is staying away from unnecessary interactions with sick people and from large groups of people; it also calls for remaining at home unless it is absolutely necessary to go out.
Free online screenings also can be accessed by all South Carolina residents, by going to scdhec.gov/COVID19.
Prisma Health is also offering free access to medical professionals for those who think they may have coronavirus, The State reported. People experiencing COVID-19 symptoms can go to https://www.prismahealth.org/virtual-visit/ and schedule a free online visit, Prisma officials said.
As of Wednesday morning, 205,452 people worldwide have been diagnosed with coronavirus and 8,248 people have died, while 82,091 recovered, according to Johns Hopkins University. In the United States, 6,519 people have been diagnosed with the novel virus. In the U.S. 115 deaths have been reported, including 55 in Washington state, according to Johns Hopkins.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
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MOREThis is a breaking news story
In a breaking news situation, facts can be unclear and the situation may still be developing. The State is trying to get important information to the public as quickly and accurately as possible. This story will be updated as more information becomes available, and some information in this story may change as the facts become clearer. Refresh this page later for more updated information.
This story was originally published March 18, 2020 at 10:57 AM.
