SC sees 183 new coronavirus cases Monday, four new deaths announced
The number of South Carolina coronavirus cases increased by 183 Monday, bringing the statewide total to 2,232, according to S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control officials.
DHEC did not release new county-by-county coronavirus case numbers Monday but warned that the numbers are rising quickly statewide.
A peak in S.C. coronavirus deaths is anticipated in early May, according to DHEC.
Four more people infected with COVID-19 have died, health officials also announced Monday. All four were described as elderly with underlying health conditions. They were from Anderson, Horry, Richland and Spartanburg counties.
In all, 48 South Carolinians have died after contracting the virus.
“Over the last week, we have seen an accelerated rate of infections in South Carolina,” said state epidemiologist Linda Bell, noting that an average of 187 cases is being detected per day. That’s up from an average of 90 new infections being detected the week before.
But the true number of new cases is likely higher. Private labs have experienced “significant delays” in testing samples, Bell said.
In an effort to slow the virus’ spread, S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster issued a mandatory “home or work” order Monday, which means residents cannot leave their homes unless they are working, obtaining essential goods or services, visiting family or exercising. McMaster’s order goes into affect Tuesday.
The order also includes a limit on the number of people allowed in stores to 20% of capacity. Violators could be charged with a misdemeanor, punishable by 30 days in jail or a $100 fine.
“We’ve asked, we’ve urged, we’ve suggested .... but the least week or so have shown that it’s not effective,” McMaster said. “The rate of infection is on the rise and the rate of noncompliance is on the rise.”
Nearly every ZIP code in Richland and Lexington counties has now posted cases of the coronavirus, according to data released Friday by DHEC. The Two Notch Road area near Rabon and Alpine Roads had the highest number of cases in Richland County. And Lexington County’s 29072 ZIP code, which includes the south shore of Lake Murray, posted the highest concentration of cases.
South Carolina health officials expect that COVID-19 cases will continue to spread, and project that the state will see more than 8,000 known cases by May 2.
The increase in cases could further strain many S.C. hospitals, which are already short on supplies and staff members. Thus far, DHEC has received two shipments from the national stockpile of medical supplies, and a third shipment is expected.
State hospitals are currently at 51% capacity, Bell said. The number of S.C. hospital beds will be increased by 3,000 by May 5, according to a plan unveiled Monday by state leaders.
Government officials have previously taken steps to slow the virus’ spread. McMaster has issued a series of orders, including closing schools through the end of April, directing restaurants to close their dining rooms, giving police the ability to break up groups of three or more, ordering nonessential businesses to close and closing access points to state beaches and waterways.
This story was originally published April 6, 2020 at 4:32 PM.
