Coronavirus cases in SC pass 1,000. Four additional deaths reported
South Carolina surpassed 1,000 coronavirus cases Tuesday after health officials announced 158 new cases.
Nearly all of the state has been touched by the potentially lethal virus with 1,083 cases now reported in 42 of the state’s 46 counties.
The state’s death toll continues to rise. Four additional people have died after contracting the coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 22, according to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control. Those patients were located in Aiken, Calhoun, Marion and York counties.
Three of the patients who died were elderly and had underlying health conditions. One was middle aged with no underlying health conditions — a stark reminder that everyone is at risk, said Linda Bell, state epidemiologist.
“In fact, anyone in any age group can die,” she cautioned during a Tuesday press conference. She and Gov. Henry McMaster renewed calls for residents to stay at home as much as possible and practice social distancing to slow the virus’ spread.
Also Tuesday:
- Charleston County saw the largest increase of cases, with 19 new patients testing positive. It was followed by Greenville County with 18 cases.
- In both Richland and Lexington counties, 13 new cases were identified.
- Bamberg County saw its first case.
DHEC officials projected last week that South Carolina will see more than 2,600 cases of COVID-19 by Thursday and more than 8,000 cases by May 2.
Monday, South Carolina saw its greatest single day increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases as DHEC officials worked to eliminate a testing backlog caused by a nationwide shortage of chemicals needed for testing.
Friday, DHEC officials announced they received a shipment of the chemicals. A second order was on its way, they added. Monday, DHEC officials said they had a two to three day supply of the chemical.
South Carolina health officials have been stocking up hospitals in anticipation of the continued spread of the coronavirus. Over the weekend, DHEC received its second shipment from a national stockpile of medical supplies and distributed masks, respirators, gloves and other equipment to counties across the state.
In the first shipment DHEC received, many items were expired, but health officials have said the equipment was still helpful.
DHEC officials said Tuesday that they expect to receive a third shipment.
As of Tuesday, Bell said that hospitals across the state are at 54% capacity. The CDC has said about 80% of those infected with the coronavirus will not require hospitalization.
S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster has also taken several steps to reduce the spread of coronavirus, including allowing police to break up groups of three or more, ordering restaurants to close dining rooms and closing access points to state beaches and waterways. Tuesday, McMaster went a step further, shuttering all nonessential businesses, including entertainment venues, tourist attractions, gyms, barber shops, hair salons and tattoo parlors. The order goes into effect Wednesday.
“This was the bare minimum that we think we can do in closures to have the largest impact,” said McMaster, who stopped short of issuing a statewide shelter in place order.
“I have great faith in the people of South Carolina,” McMaster said Tuesday, adding that 52% of state workers are working from home, traffic on the interstates is down and fewer plane flights are coming into the state.
“We’re making great progress,” he added.
New coronavirus cases announced Tuesday
Abbeville County: 1 case
Aiken County: 4 cases
Anderson County: 8 cases
Bamberg County: 2 cases
Beaufort County: 17 cases
Berkeley County: 1 case
Calhoun County: 1 case
Charleston County: 19 cases
Clarendon County: 7 cases
Dorchester County: 5 cases
Fairfield County: 1 case
Florence County: 4 cases
Georgetown County: 2 cases
Greenville County: 18 cases
Greenwood County: 2 cases
Horry County: 5 cases
Kershaw County: 6 cases
Lancaster County: 1 case
Lexington County: 13 cases
Oconee County: 1 case
Orangeburg County: 1 case
Pickens County: 1 case
Richland County: 13 cases
Spartanburg County: 7 cases
Sumter County: 5 cases
York County: 13 cases
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 31, 2020 at 4:26 PM.
