Burning banned in South Carolina because of impact it has on coronavirus patients
Because of the impact fires can have on COVID-19 patients, a statewide burning ban has been issued during the coronavirus pandemic by the South Carolina Forestry Commission.
The ban goes into effect at 6 a.m. Tuesday for all unincorporated areas in South Carolina, as outdoor burning will be prohibited outside of city and town limits.
“It’s up to local municipality rules in the town or city if they follow the ban in incorporated areas,” Forestry Commission spokesman Doug Wood told The State Monday. “Check with your local fire department about burning.”
Charleston County is still permitting burns inside their borders, according to those fire departments.
Richland, Lexington and Greenville counties are among those where the Forestry Commission’s burn ban will be in effect, the fire departments told The State.
As part of the ban, yard debris burns or burn barrels, prescribed or controlled burns, in addition to campfires and bonfires will be prohibited, according to the Forestry Commission.
“This does not prohibit outdoor cooking, or fires for warmth (from a chimney) if that is the only source of heat,” Wood said. “You can still cook on a grill.”
The ban is open ended, and will stay in place until further notice from the Forestry Commission. That’s because it’s in the interest of public safety.
“We know how beneficial the practice is for agricultural and forest management, and it is ... the best tool we have to reduce both the number and severity of wildfires,” Forestry Commission Fire Chief Darryl Jones said in a news release. “But extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures, and the decision to enact this ban really had to be made in the current context.”
Smoke can exacerbate the symptoms of coronavirus patients, and also can trigger underlying respiratory issues in unaffected individuals, which could result in symptoms similar to those caused by COVID-19.
“For infected individuals, breathing smoke could make coronavirus symptoms worse, increasing the risk of hospitalization or death,” DHEC Physician Consultant said Dr. Brannon Traxler in a news release. “It could also cause people who have not contracted the coronavirus, but who are presenting COVID-19-like symptoms, to seek medical care at a time when medical resources are already stretched thin.”
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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 Sunday, 132 new cases of the coronavirus were reported in South Carolina, bringing the statewide total to 2,049 confirmed COVID-19 cases in all 46 counties, according to DHEC.
DHEC also announced that four more people died after testing positive for the coronavirus, raising that total to 44 in a month. State health officials described 42 of the people as elderly, two patients were middle-aged, and all but four had underlying medical conditions.
“With known coronavirus infections increasing in all 46 counties of the state, we simply cannot continue to allow legal burning under these unprecedented circumstances,” Phillips said. “Reducing outdoor burning will also minimize the strain on local fire departments and other first responders who need to remain available for other COVID-19 response activities.”
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 Monday morning, 1,280,046 people worldwide have been diagnosed with coronavirus and 70,356 people have died, while 270,098 recovered, according to Johns Hopkins University. The United States leads the world with 337,933 people who have been diagnosed with the novel virus. In the U.S. 9,653 deaths have been reported, including 3,048 in New York City, according to Johns Hopkins.
This story was originally published April 6, 2020 at 12:15 PM.
