Hot spots for coronavirus released by DHEC. New data show areas most affected by disease
Camden and northeast Richland County are among areas in central South Carolina where the most coronavirus cases have been documented in recent weeks by health officials, who are investigating the rapid spread of the disease across the Palmetto State.
New statistics released Friday provide more detailed information about where coronavirus outbreaks have occurred. Until now, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control has largely released only countywide data.
The information released Friday shows the number of cases by zip code.
The Camden area, where the disease was first documented in early March, has had 32 coronavirus cases documented by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, according to DHEC data.
Lugoff and Elgin, between Columbia and Camden, have had another 19 of the Kershaw County cases.
All told, Kershaw County has had more than 60 cases, according to DHEC. The zip code statistics released Friday include coronavirus cases documented only in the past two weeks. A handful of cases were documented three weeks ago in Kershaw County. The zip code data also includes data through midday Friday and does not include figures released later that afternoon.
Also, DHEC did not have zip codes for all of the coronavirus cases across the state. For example, in Richland County, the state only released zip code information for about half of the 65 cases it had documented through Thursday.
But the information that was released for Richland showed coronavirus has been identified most in the 29223 zip code, which encompasses much of Two Notch Road near Rabon and Alpine roads in the Dentsville area. Eight cases have been reported from that zip code.
The 29204 neighborhood, which includes parts of Forest Acres near Richland Mall, had four cases. Other zip codes had fewer cases. The 29229 zip code, which includes Lake Carolina and much of Clemson Road, had three cases.
The most Lexington County cases — 5 — were in the 29072 zip code, which includes the neighborhoods around parts of Lake Murray. It includes Old Cherokee Road and Old Chapin Road. Lexington County overall had 20 coronavirus cases through Thursday.
DHEC officials have been under pressure to release more data about where the coronavirus cases have been detected. Local government officials pushed for more than countywide data, and some state legislators have agreed with them.
State Rep. Laurie Slade Funderburk, D-Kershaw, said she’s glad DHEC took the extra steps of providing more detailed information, rather than only giving out the county where the cases occurred.
“Just saying (coronavirus) is in a county is kind of generalized,’’ she said. “The county associations were wanting this.’’
Despite that, DHEC officials have cautioned people not to read too much into the data. The disease is spreading, and even people living in areas with few documented cases must take precautions.
“There are other people in the community who have not yet been diagnosed,’’ DHEC epidemiologist Linda Bell said Thursday. She said “we are making the data that we have available but we don’t want it to be misinterpreted for what it means and what it does not mean.’’
Life has slowed to a near standstill across the state because of the coronavirus threat. The state had more than 400 cases through Thursday, but the numbers are climbing daily. By Friday afternoon, the number of cases topped 500. At least 13 people are known to have died from the virus, which attacks the lungs and makes breathing difficult.
Statewide, Charleston County leads the state in coronavirus cases. Including statistics released Friday afternoon, Charleston County has had more than 120 cases overall.
The zip code that encompasses Camden, 29020, had far more cases than any other zip code in South Carolina through mid-day Friday, the data show. The 29464 zip code of Mount Pleasant had the second highest number of coronavirus cases with 15. DHEC officials stressed that the numbers will change because they will continue to update the zip code data.
In Beaufort County, coronavirus was documented more often in the Bluffton area’s 29910 zip code. Bluffton has had six cases. Horry County had more cases in central Myrtle Beach
DHEC spokeswoman Laura Renwick said DHEC is only releasing cases for the past 14 days because that is the period in which people show symptoms. Still, most of the cases of coronavirus across South Carolina have occurred during that time period.
“There are many more people in the community who have this disease and who will not be included in this data,’’ she said in an email. “Many individuals contract and recover from this virus with mild symptoms, never getting tested. Also, DHEC isn’t notified when individuals are no longer infectious (i.e., they are well), and as a result, these numbers likely include people who have recovered and no longer pose a risk to others.
“Regardless of the number of positive cases in their community, everyone is encouraged to take the same daily precautions to prevent against the spread of COVID-19.”
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 27, 2020 at 3:50 PM.
