South Carolina eclipses 2,000 coronavirus cases, four new deaths reported, officials say
Confirmed coronavirus cases in South Carolina surpassed the 2,000 mark on Sunday, according to health officials.
The Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) reported 132 new cases, bringing the total of 2,049 cases in the state.
Four more deaths also were reported by DHEC, bringing the total to 44. Three of the COVID-19 patients who died were described as elderly by DHEC. Two of the three elderly patients had underlying health conditions, and the third is under investigation.
The fourth patient who died was a middle-aged individual who had underlying health conditions, health officials said. The people who died were residents from Clarendon, Horry, Beaufort and Lee counties, according to DHEC.
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.
State health officials described 42 of the people who have died after testing positive for COVID-19 as elderly, two patients were middle-aged, and all but four had underlying medical conditions.
There were 56 new cases of the coronavirus in Richland County, bringing the total to 298 since testing began. Richland County has the most confirmed cases in the state. Charleston County is second with 274.
Lexington County (117) had 22 new cases reported Sunday and Kershaw County (148) added seven new cases.
On Saturday, 217 new cases of the coronavirus were reported in South Carolina, bringing the statewide total to 1,917 confirmed COVID-19 cases in all 46 counties, according to DHEC.
The DHEC’s Public Health Laboratory has conducted 7,571 tests for COVID-19. Of these tests, 876 were positive and 6,695 were negative. A total of 18,930 tests by both DHEC’s Public Health Laboratory and private labs have been conducted in the state.
However, the number of positives reported to date in South Carolina are only the known positives. There is a shortage of tests nationwide and in South Carolina, and not everyone who is positive has been tested.
Less than a month ago, on March 8, DHEC reported South Carolina’s first two cases. So far, the state has been relatively spared, compared with hot spots such as New York, New Orleans, Detroit and Washington State. In all across the United States by noon Sunday, more than 330,000 have tested positive and more than 8,500 have died, according to Johns Hopkins University.
DHEC also reported 5,917 hospital beds are available in South Carolina, and more have been made available since March 23.
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 Sunday afternoon, 1,260,104 people worldwide have been diagnosed with coronavirus and 68,413 people have died, while 258,588 recovered, according to Johns Hopkins University. The United States leads the world with 331,151 people who have been diagnosed with the novel virus. In the U.S. 9,441 deaths have been reported, including 2,256 in New York City, according to Johns Hopkins.
This story was originally published April 5, 2020 at 3:39 PM.
