Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on April 6
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Latest coronavirus cases
At least 2,232 people have tested positive for coronavirus in South Carolina, and 48 people have died, according to public health officials.
Officials reported 183 new cases and four deaths Monday. The four deaths were older patients with underlying medical conditions in Anderson, Horry, Richland and Spartanburg counties, according to the Department of Heath and Environmental Control.
Four deaths were reported Sunday, in Clarendon, Horry, Beaufort and Lee counties, according to the Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Richland and Charleston counties have the most cases in the state, DHEC said.
More than 1.3 million cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed worldwide with more than 74,000 deaths as of Monday, according to Johns Hopkins University. The United States has more than 367,000 confirmed cases and more than 10,000 deaths.
Preparing hospitals for COVID surge
South Carolina is aiming to increase hospital capacity across the state to prepare for an anticipated surge in coronavirus cases in the coming weeks.
Maj. Gen. Van McCarty, SC’s Adjutant General, said the plan is to add another 3,000 hospital beds, for a statewide total of 9,000, The State reported. The plan is based on projections showing 3,500 patients hospitalized by early May.
Army halts basic training for new recruits
The U.S. Army will stop sending new recruits to several basic training camps, including Ft. Jackson, for at least two weeks while it works to improve safeguards against coronavirus on its bases.
According to The State, Fort Benning in Columbus, Ga., Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, and Fort Sill in Lawton, Okla. will also stop receiving recruits for the time being.
Stay home order issued
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster issued an order for everyone to stay at home unless they are making essential trips or going to work. The order begins at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
The stay-home order does not include visiting family, trips to the grocery store or pharmacy, and getting exercise.
The order also restricts how many customers can be in a store at one time. No more than five people per 1,000 square feet of a store will be allowed in a store at any given time.
Hospitals converting for coronavirus treatment
Hilton Head and Coastal Carolina Hospitals are preparing for an increase in coronavirus patients, and “have identified” facilities to potentially convert into COVID treatment centers, according to The State.
Jeremy Clark, Hilton Head Regional Healthcare CEO, shared the news in an email to staff and local officials, saying the move would better position them to “react accordingly” if infections spike.
Forestry Commission bans burning
A burn ban for all unincorporated areas in South Carolina is beginning at 6 a.m. Tuesday, The State reports. The South Carolina Forestry Commission said it was banning fires because of the effect smoke could have on people suffering from respiratory symptoms related to COVID-19.
City and town leaders in incorporated areas can decide for themselves whether or not to follow the burn ban, The State reports.
Beaufort issues ‘stay at home’ order
The city of Beaufort Monday ordered all residents to stay at home except for essential trips, The Island Packet reports. The order follows similar directives in Charleston, Columbia and Mount Pleasant.
The Conway City Council, in Horry County, will consider its own order for residents to stay home during an emergency meeting Monday evening, The Sun News reports.
The Myrtle Beach City Council also has a special meeting Monday night to discuss possible measures to help slow the spread of the virus, according to The Sun News.
More businesses to close Monday
A new order closing more non-essential businesses goes into effect at 5 p.m. Monday.
The 15-day order includes:
- Furniture stores
- Home furnishing stores
- Clothing stores
- Shoe and clothing accessory stores
- Jewelry stores
- Luggage and leather goods stores
- Department stores
- Florists
- Sporting goods stores
- Bookstores
- Craft and music stores
Gym, salon cited for staying open
Charleston police cited a gym and a nail salon for staying open and defying city and state orders that closed many businesses.
Charleston has a stay-at-home order in place for residents to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Both businesses had been warned before they were cited, The State reports. Police said the salon pretended to be closed but allowed customers to come in through the back.
Grand Strand hospital warns of ‘surge’
Tidelands Health in the Myrtle Beach area warned its staff to be prepared for more coronavirus patients, The Sun News reports.
“Computer modeling tells us we are three weeks or more from the peak spread of COVID-19 in our community,” hospital officials said in a letter to employees. “A surge of patients is coming.”
More prison employees test positive
Four employees at the Broad River Correctional Institution have tested positive for the virus, state officials say. The South Carolina Department of Corrections announced two new cases over the weekend confirmed in workers at the Columbia prison.
Seventeen employees with the Department of Corrections have tested positive for the virus, the department said.
Prisoner tests positive in Charleston jail
A man who was locked up in Charleston County jail for three weeks tested positive for COVID-19, the county sheriff’s office said. The detention center is isolating 35 prisoners who may have come in contact with the virus.
The man was screened for the virus March 30, but then started showing symptoms on April 3, The State reports.
This story was originally published April 6, 2020 at 7:31 AM.
