Number of coronavirus cases in Richland County reaches 65
Richland County reported five new coronavirus cases on Friday, bringing the total to 65.
That total puts Richland slightly ahead of neighboring Kershaw County, which reported 63 cases in the latest figures reported to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Thursday.
Kershaw has been at the epicenter of the health crisis in South Carolina, but its larger neighbor Richland — home to the state capital and the University of South Carolina — has been on course to surpass Kershaw as the county with the most infections in the state.
Richland County saw a jump of 14 cases just on Wednesday.
At least 456 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina, and nine people have died as of Friday morning. Richland County has not reported any fatalities from the disease.
The county has already closed several of its county buildings to the public and only has essential personnel working staggered shifts. Seven county employees are currently self-isolating, county emergency services director Michael Byrd told members of Richland County Council on a conference call Friday.
The city of Columbia has issued an order calling on members of the public to stay at home unless they’re traveling for essential services beginning at 12:01 a.m. Sunday. That quarantine period, which has been questioned by the state attorney general’s office, will continue for two weeks.
Updated statewide totals for coronavirus cases are expected later on Friday.
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 3:42 PM.
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