Richland County has 200 coronavirus cases, with 24 new infections reported Thursday
The number of known coronavirus cases in Richland County has reached 200, with 24 new cases reported Thursday, according to Richland County officials.
In less than a week, the number of known COVID-19 infections in Richland County has more than tripled. Just last Friday, the county’s reported total was 65.
There were 176 known coronavirus cases in the county one day ago, Wednesday.
At least three people have died of the virus in Richland County.
Earlier this week, Richland County Council members asked county staff to draw up a countywide stay-at-home order, similar to ones that have already been put in place in Columbia, Charleston and Mount Pleasant.
But some council members are skeptical of the need for a county order, and the state attorney general’s office has questioned if local governments have the power to tell residents to stay home without action from the governor.
As the number of confirmed coronavirus cases rises daily in the county and across the state, the pandemic continues to take a toll on the local economy. Nearly 4,700 Richland County residents filed for unemployment benefits last week alone, among the nearly 65,000 South Carolinians who did so.
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.