As SC coronavirus cases, deaths rise, chemical shortage causes testing backlog
South Carolina now has 456 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, after state health officials reported 32 new cases on Thursday.
But the true number of cases is probably higher amid a shortage of chemicals needed to process samples from potential coronavirus patients for COVID-19, the sometimes fatal respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus.
South Carolina also had two more deaths from the coronavirus, bringing the state total to nine, officials with the state Department of Health and Environmental Control announced Thursday. The deceased were from Kershaw County and Sumter County. Both patients were elderly and had underlying health conditions.
Speaking during a press conference with reporters, state epidemiologist Linda Bell said the number of cases reported each day may begin to vary because state labs are experiencing a shortage of chemicals needed to perform coronavirus tests.
“The variation in number of cases day to day reflects the availability of chemicals, also referred to as reagents, needed for laboratories to perform this testing,” Bell said. “There is a shortage of these chemicals nationwide and within South Carolina, including the DHEC public health lab.”
Results reported in a single day may be higher one day than others because they may include samples tested over multiples days, Bell said.
Bell said the state’s lab has a backlog of 1,600 samples waiting to be tested. She added there are delays in the private labs as well, with some reporting waits of seven to eight days or longer to complete tests.
Due to the shortage, Bell said not everyone who is sick should get tested for the coronavirus.
“If disease activity increases significantly, we will advise people to stay home, get better and seek medical attention only if symptoms are worsening,” Bell said. “This will allow our health care systems and our health care providers to give care to those who are most seriously ill and need it most.”
Despite the lag in testing, state health officials said hospitals have done a good job freeing up beds to help manage the coronavirus outbreak.
South Carolina hospitals are currently at about 55% capacity, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 80% of people with the virus will not require hospitalization.
State officials also said only 180 of the 1,260 ventilators in the state are in use, adding they have requested an additional 130 ventilators from federal partners.
Charleston County saw the largest increase of cases, with eight new cases announced Thursday. Berkeley and Beaufort counties saw the second largest increases with three cases each.
Richland County saw one new case, bringing the total to 60, and Lexington County had two new cases, bringing the total to 20.
“This is a serious time that calls for serious actions,” said Brannon Traxler, a physician consultant for DHEC. “Our chance of reaching the best outcome hinges on us all doing our part. We can’t express strongly enough the importance of all of us practicing social distancing, staying home and away from other people when sick, and washing our hands often.”
Department of Health and Environmental Control officials have projected that South Carolina will have more than 2,600 cases of coronavirus by April 2 and more than 8,000 cases by May 2.
As of Thursday, the Department of Health and Environmental Control has performed 2,578 COVID-19 tests in the state lab. The state does not know how many tests private labs are performing, only receiving results for positive tests. A recent directive from the federal level calls on private labs to report negative results as well.
State officials have taken steps to slow the spread of the coronavirus, including allowing police to break up gathered groups of three or more people and people gathering on public beaches. McMaster has also ordered restaurants across the state to close their dining rooms.
The state Legislature allocated $45 million to the Department of Health and Environmental Control to fight the coronavirus. Health officials have withdrawn $10 million of that to help with workforce needs, teleworking and buying protective equipment.
Health officials have also received a shipment from the national stockpile of medical equipment and distributed items to the counties. Toomey said Tuesday the agency would be receiving a second shipment from the stockpile, which will be distributed by early next week.
New coronavirus cases:
- Abbeville County: 1 case
- Aiken County: 2 cases
- Anderson County: 2 cases
- Beaufort County: 3 cases
- Berkeley County: 3 cases
- Charleston County: 8 cases
- Fairfield County: 1 case
- Georgetown County: 1 case
- Greenville County: 1 case
- Horry County: 1 case
- Jasper County: 1 case
- Kershaw County: 1 case
- Lancaster County: 1 case
- Lexington County: 2 cases
- Orangeburg County: 2 cases
- Richland County: 1 case
- York County: 1 case
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 26, 2020 at 4:39 PM.
