Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on April 20
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Latest cases
At least 4,439 people in South Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus, and 124 have died, according to state health officials.
Four deaths and 64 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the state Monday, according to the Department of Health and Environmental Control. That’s the lowest number of new reported cases this month, The State reported.
Residents from Lancaster, Kershaw, Edgefield, and Clarendon counties died, according to health officials. Two were described as middle-aged, one of whom had underlying medical conditions. The other two were older, according to officials, and one of them had underlying medical conditions.
There have been 100 positive tests a day in South Carolina since March 28. The number of cases is expected to continue climbing, with the peak likely on May 2, The State reports.
The daily death count has been trending downward since April 9, when 16 deaths were reported.
More than 2.4 million COVID-19 cases and more than 167,000 deaths have been reported worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University. In the U.S., more than 766,000 cases and 40,000 deaths have been reported.
Cases to continue rising, experts say
State epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell said she expects the number of coronavirus cases in the South Carolina to keep growing until at least early May, despite the fact some predictive models say the state has already past its peak.
One model, by the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, shows that the state reached the peak of COVID-19 deaths on April 9, but Bell cautioned that the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control has not seen a slow down in new infections, and the situation could still change, The State reported.
Beaches to reopen
Gov. Henry McMaster ordered that all beaches can reopen starting noon Tuesday, lifting the restrictions he ordered in place on March 30, according to The State.
“People of South Carolina are complying very well with orders and recommendations that have been issued,” McMaster said Monday. “In light of the common sense taken by the great people of South Carolina, we are ready to take some steps that will help South Carolina assure that our economic health is as strong as our public health.”
McMaster: Some nonessential businesses can reopen
McMaster announced Monday that some businesses deemed “nonessential” by his orders two weeks prior, will be able to open back up, The State reported.
Those businesses include department stores and other recently nonessential stores such as “sporting goods stores, book, music, shoe and craft stores, jewelry stores, floral shops and other luggage and leather goods stores,” The State wrote.
Occupancy limits previously ordered for stores will still be in place.
SC won’t reveal nursing homes with COVID deaths
A lawsuit has been filed in Richland County in an attempt to force the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control to make public the names of nursing homes where staff and patients have been infected or have died due to coronavirus — something the department keeps secret under current policy, The State reported.
“This is a matter of life and death for people across South Carolina. It’s shocking to think we would not make that information available,” Teresa Arnold, president of S.C. AARP, told The State.
Decision on schools coming this week
A decision on whether to reopen South Carolina K-12 schools, and when, is expected sometime this week, The State reported.
Ryan Brown, spokesman for the state Department of Education, said in statement, “we anticipate a decision and announcement regarding school operations from the Governor very soon.”
“The health and well-being of South Carolina students, educators, and their families remains the highest priority for the South Carolina Department of Education and for our state’s leaders charged with navigating the COVID-19 pandemic,” Brown said in the statement.
While Brown didn’t offer a specific time, state Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman told WIS, “I can assure you, by the end of the week, that we will make an announcement and it will be done in the best interests of our students and our teachers and faculty.”
Retail restrictions
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster is expected to lift restrictions on some retail stores Monday, a source familiar with the plan told The State.
The governor previously closed retail stores in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Department stores, flea markets, craft stores, music stores, shoe stores and book stores will be allowed to reopen under the change. But stores that open must limit their occupancy to five customers per 1,000 square feet.
Restaurants will still not be allowed to open their dining rooms, and the stay-at-home order will remain in place.
Myrtle Beach employees under quarantine
More than 100 Myrtle Beach employees, including 58 workers within the police department, have had to quarantine because of the coronavirus, the Sun News reports.
The Myrtle Beach Police Department has held in-person retirement parties, defying the governor’s order that bans gatherings of three or more people, according to the Sun News.
Forty-four city employees remained under quarantine as of Friday because of exposure to the coronavirus, City Manager John Pedersen wrote in a letter.
Beaches could reopen
Beach accesses in South Carolina could reopen next week, state Sen. Stephen Goldfinch said.
Goldfinch said he doesn’t know the details yet but thinks they will reopen by the end of next week. The governor closed public beach accesses with an executive order on March 30. He had not yet mentioned reopening the accesses as of Saturday, The Sun News reported.
This story was originally published April 20, 2020 at 6:43 AM.
