SC announces more than 100 new coronavirus cases as testing backlog starts to clear
More than 100 new cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus were announced by South Carolina health officials on Saturday, as well as two more deaths related to the virus.
Saturday’s total of 121 new positives is the biggest single-day increase the state has seen since the first cases of COVID-19 were reported March 2. There have now been 660 reported positive tests and 15 deaths.
“This high number of cases is due to reporting cases from a backlog that had developed at DHEC’s Public Health Laboratory due to a nationwide shortage in the chemicals required for performing testing,” the Department of Health and Environmental Control said in a statement. It said the chemical shortage has been resolved, and that the lab is now testing seven days a week with extended hours
Kershaw County, once the epicenter of the state’s cases, added seven new cases Saturday but was passed in total cases by Richland County, which added 16 to reach 81 overall. One of the two deaths reported Saturday was from Richland County, as well; the other was from Horry County.
Both involved elderly patients with underlying health conditions, officials said.
“Having to report two additional deaths ... is a critical reminder of how serious this situation is,”” said DHEC physician Brannon Traxler in a statement.
Charleston County added 16 new cases Saturday, making it the first county in the state to surpass 100 cases with 108 total. In all 40 of South Carolina’s 46 counties have now reported a case of the virus, including eight with 25 or more.
State and locals officials have been prepping for a spike in cases. More than 2,600 S.C. cases of coronavirus are expected by April 2 and more than 8,000 cases by May 2, according to DHEC projections.
S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster has taken several steps to slow the spread of the coronavirus, including allowing police to break up groups of three or more people, dispersing visitors to public beaches and shuttering restaurants’ dining rooms across the state. Meanwhile, Columbia and a handful of other S.C. cities have issued stay-at-home orders to residents.
The state Legislature has allocated $45 million to DHEC to fight coronavirus, $10 million of which state health officials have withdrawn to help with workforce needs, teleworking and buying protective equipment.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. DHEC director Rick Toomey said Tuesday the agency would receive a second shipment from the stockpile, distributed Saturday as well.
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.
NEW CASES REPORTED 3/28
- Aiken County: 1 case
- Anderson County: 4 cases
- Beaufort County: 4 cases
- Berkeley County: 3 cases
- Charleston County: 16 cases
- Chester County: 1 case
- Clarendon County: 1 case
- Colleton County: 2 cases
- Dorchester County: 1 case
- Florence County: 1 case
- Georgetown County: 3 cases
- Greenville County: 6 cases
- Greenwood County: 1 case
- Horry County: 4 cases
- Kershaw County: 7 cases
- Lancaster County: 1 case
- Laurens County: 2 cases
- Lee County: 3 cases
- Lexington County: 5 cases
- Newberry County: 1 case
- Orangeburg County: 2 cases
- Pickens County: 3 cases
- Richland County: 16 cases
- Spartanburg County: 5 cases
- Sumter County: 14 cases
- Williamsburg County: 1 case
- York County: 13 cases
This story was originally published March 28, 2020 at 4:32 PM.
