Three new cases of coronavirus confirmed in South Carolina’s Lowcountry
Three new cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed in South Carolina after patients tested positive for COVID-19 at Lowcountry medical centers Thursday.
This brings the total of people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in South Carolina to 63. Two of the new cases are in Charleston County, and the other was reported in Abbeville County.
One of the patients is being treated at Roper St. Francis Healthcare, hospital spokesman Andy Lyons said. It is the third patient who has tested positive for COVID-19 at the facility.
The patient who just tested positive for the coronavirus is currently in stable condition after being hospitalized and and put in isolation, according to Lyons.
Another patient tested positive for COVID-19 at Abbeville Area Medical Center, spokeswoman Meg Davis said.
“We discovered the case because we are being aggressive in our care and planning for the virus,” Dr. Trey Moore said in a news release. “My best advice is to only seek medical care if your symptoms are severe. Otherwise quarantine at home.”
As of Thursday morning, AAMC has tested 26 patients for COVID-19. Three tests have been reported as negative by DHEC. One has been reported as positive and has been sent to the CDC for confirmation.
The third Lowcountry patient to test positive for the coronavirus was confirmed to be at Harmony Senior Services in West Ashley.
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.
As of Wednesday afternoon, 60 people in South Carolina had tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Department of Health and Environmental Control.
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.
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.
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 Thursday morning, 222,643 people worldwide have been diagnosed with coronavirus and 9,115 people have died, while 84,506 recovered, according to Johns Hopkins University. In the United States, 9,415 people have been diagnosed with the novel virus. In the U.S. 150 deaths have been reported, including 68 in Washington state, according to Johns Hopkins.
One death has been reported in South Carolina.
The man was from Lexington County, and was a resident of Lexington Medical Center Extended Care Skilled Nursing Facility, DHEC said.
This story was originally published March 19, 2020 at 1:44 PM.
