SC coronavirus cases surpass 3,300; two more deaths reported by health officials
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths in South Carolina increased Sunday, with an additional 113 positive tests and two new deaths announced by state health officials.
That puts the state’s total of confirmed cases at 3,319 and the number of deaths at 82. A month ago there were 10 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the state — and no reported deaths.
Of the two people who died, one was an elderly individual with underlying health conditions who was a resident of Charleston County, according to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). The other, a resident of Greenville County, was a middle-aged individual who also had underlying health condition.
Of the total 82 deaths in South Carolina, state health officials described 72 of the people as elderly and 10 as middle-aged, with all but five exhibiting underlying medical conditions.
DHEC on Sunday reported 15 new confirmed cases in Richland County and 10 more in Lexington County. Richland County has the most reported cases in the state with 494, while Lexington has 212 and Kershaw County has 179.
Kershaw County has the highest rate of COVID-19 cases per capita in South Carolina — 268.97 cases per 100,000 people — but had just one new confirmed case on Sunday.
Berkeley County had the most new confirmed cases Sunday with 16.
On Saturday, 144 new cases of the coronavirus were reported in South Carolina, bringing the statewide total to 3,207 confirmed COVID-19 cases in all 46 counties, according to DHEC.
There have been 28,106 combined negative tests at DHEC’s public health laboratory and at private labs.
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.
DHEC is encouraging people to practice social distancing to help stop the spread of the virus. Social distancing means refraining from unnecessary interactions and staying away from large groups of people; it also calls for remaining at home unless it is absolutely necessary to go out.
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 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, 1,833,685 people worldwide have been diagnosed with coronavirus and 113,296 people have died, according to Johns Hopkins University.
John Hopkins also reports the United States leads the world with 546,874 people who have been diagnosed with the novel virus. In the U.S. 21,686 deaths have been reported, including 6,898 in New York City.
This story was originally published April 12, 2020 at 3:37 PM.
