Midlands manufacturing plant shut down after employees test positive for coronavirus
A major manufacturing facility in the Midlands has temporarily closed after two employees tested positive for the coronavirus.
The Samsung Electronics Home Appliance plant in Newberry County has shut down for the moment because of the pandemic, a company spokesperson told The State Thursday.
The move was made after the COVID-19 cases were discovered, the Newberry Observer reported. The facility is near Exit 76 on Interstate 26, about 35 miles northwest of Columbia.
“As we continue to navigate these uncertain times, the health and well-being of our employees and customers are our top priority,” Samsung said in a news release.
The tests were confirmed Wednesday, and the Samsung plant was closed Thursday, WIS reported.
Information if other employees are being tested was not available.
There was no word if the workers who have been confirmed COVID-19 patients are hospitalized, or are at home in self isolation.
Samsung said the plant will remain closed until Monday as it is “thoroughly cleaned and sanitized,” according to the Newberry Observer.
The plant began producing washing machines in January 2018, and employs nearly 1,000 people, Samsung officials said.
This could potentially double the amount of coronavirus cases in Newberry County, which previously had two patients test positive for COVID-19, according to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.
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.
On Wednesday, 210 new cases of the coronavirus were reported in South Carolina, bringing the statewide total to 1,293 confirmed COVID-19 cases in 43 counties, according to DHEC.
DHEC also announced that four more people died after testing positive for the coronavirus, raising that total to 26 in less than a month. State health officials described 25 of the people as elderly, one person was middle-aged, and all but two had underlying medical conditions.
There have been 5,033 negative tests at DHEC’s public health laboratory.
Symptoms of coronavirus can include a fever, coughing, and difficulty breathing, according to the CDC. Among the emergency warning signs of COVID-19 is trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, and blueish lips or face, the CDC said.
The best way to prevent infection is to frequently wash hands for 20 seconds; avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth; avoid contact with sick people and clean frequently touched objects with a cleaning spray or wipe, according to the CDC. DHEC also recommends covering your cough, staying home when sick, and disposing tissues and other items that you’ve sneezed or coughed into.
Free online screenings also can be accessed by all South Carolina residents, by going to scdhec.gov/COVID19.
Prisma Health is also offering free access to medical professionals for those who think they may have coronavirus, The State reported. People experiencing COVID-19 symptoms can go to https://www.prismahealth.org/virtual-visit/ and schedule a free online visit, Prisma officials said.
As of Thursday morning, 951,901 people worldwide have been diagnosed with coronavirus and 48,284 people have died, while 195,929 recovered, according to Johns Hopkins University. The United States leads the world with 216,722 people who have been diagnosed with the novel virus. In the U.S. 5,137 deaths have been reported, including 1,374 in New York City, according to Johns Hopkins.
This story was originally published April 2, 2020 at 12:51 PM.
