Who’s hurting the most from coronavirus in South Carolina? New data tell the story
Nearly one quarter of the people infected with the coronavirus in South Carolina have been hospitalized as the disease has spread across the Palmetto State in under three weeks, according to state health statistics.
New data, released Wednesday by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, show that the virus has sickened people in all age groups, including college-aged adults who have been among those criticized for socializing, despite advice to steer clear of close contact.
In fact, a greater percentage of people under the age of 40 have been infected with coronavirus than elderly people over age 81, who face a greater risk of death from the disease.
But the biggest group affected in South Carolina includes people between the ages of 60 and 71. Nearly one fifth of the total coronavirus cases — about 19 percent — involve people in that age group, according to DHEC’s data.
“The statistics don’t surprise us,’’ said DHEC epidemiologist Linda Bell. “Someone from any age group can be affected.’’
DHEC’s data, the first to take a detailed look at coronavirus cases since the numbers began to explode in growth last week, did not break down how many people have been hospitalized from each age group.
But the statistics provide a reminder that medical facilities face an influx of people infected with coronavirus this year.
The agency predicts more than 8,000 case of coronavirus by early May, and that isn’t even expected to be the peak of the disease outbreak. The state has had 424 cases of coronavirus since March 6, when DHEC reported on the first cases. Another forecast model by a University of South Carolina researcher predicts even more cases than those forecast Wednesday by DHEC.
While DHEC director Rick Toomey said some people have recovered from the disease since early March, concerns have risen about whether the state will have enough hospital beds to handle the rising load of coronavirus patients.
About 5,200 of the state’s more than 12,000 hospital beds are now open, Toomey said. The state also has about 1,080 available ventilators, but is seeking 130 more from the federal government to prepare for the crush of patients.
The COVID-19 coronavirus can cause major fatigue and difficulty breathing, among other things. Seven people have been reported to have died in South Carolina from the disease since early March.
Stopping the spread of coronavirus is a challenge in the U.S. because, unlike many diseases, it can be spread from people who don’t know they have the infection.
“Being a silent spreader means it is more efficient at infecting people,’’ said Bert Ely, a University of South Carolina biologist who specializes in gene research and who has studied the coronavirus.
Ely said the coronavirus “has unique features that seem to be giving it an extra disease-causing propensity that we have rarely seen before,.’’
DHEC’s data show that the average coronavirus patient is a 52-year-old white male, but women are being impacted almost equally.
Men made up 49 percent of those infected, compared to 48 percent for women. The agency had no information on 3 percent of the patients.
About 39 percent of those infected with the disease are black, compared to 54 percent who are white. African Americans make up about 27 percent of the state’s population, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
People in other age groups also have gotten sick with coronavirus. Among them:
▪ People ages 21-30 made up 12 percent of those infected.
▪ People ages 31-40 made up 11 percent.
▪ People ages 51-60 made up 17 percent.
▪ People ages 71-80 made up 13 percent.
▪ People ages 81-90 made up 7 percent.
▪ People age 11-20 made up 4 percent.
DHEC continued Wednesday to urge people to steer clear of each other and practice safe hygiene, including frequent hand-washing, to fight the spread of the disease.
“We know that people in the state have continued to congregate and continued to go to supper clubs and beaches, and all these activities, because they are in the belief they are just waiting for it to hit home,’’ Bell said. “If they practice the measures now, and consistently, then we can slow (the) spread.’’
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 25, 2020 at 6:40 PM.
