Coronavirus cases surpass 6,500 in South Carolina, eight more deaths reported
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control confirmed 141 new cases of the coronavirus on Sunday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 6,626.
In addition to the new cases, state health officials said eight more people have died after testing positive for COVID-19, including two individuals from Richland County. Other deaths were reported in Berkeley, Clarendon, Greenville, Horry, Lexington and Spartanburg counties. All eight deaths were elderly patients, according to state health officials.
The death toll in South Carolina has now reached 275.
Of the 141 new cases, 17 of them are from Richland County. Richland continues to lead the state in positive coronavirus tests with 964.
There were nine positive tests in Lexington County, bringing the number there to 420. Kershaw County had two positive tests reported Sunday. Fairfield County had 26 positive tests and had just 42 before Sunday’s results.
As of Sunday, DHEC’s Public Health Laboratory has conducted 16,860 tests for COVID-19. Of these tests, 2,280 were positive and 14,580 were negative. A total of 64,188 total tests by both DHEC’s Public Health Laboratory and private labs have been conducted in the state.
According to projections from DHEC, officials expect to see 1,205 cases this week, from May 3-9.
State epidemiologist Linda Bell said Friday that the SC’s epidemic curve of new cases per day appears to be “beginning to level,” but she also said it is critical that people continue to follow social distancing and health guidelines from DHEC and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
Beginning Monday, SC Gov. Henry McMaster announced his “home or work” order would be become voluntary and restaurants would be able to host diners in outdoor seating. McMaster also lifted his executive order requiring visitors from coronavirus “hot spots” to self-quarantine for 14 days upon entering the state as he tries to restart the state’s economy, which has been hammered by the pandemic.
State parks and most beaches also have been reopened over the past week in South Carolina.
As of Sunday afternoon, 3,485,948 people worldwide have been diagnosed with coronavirus and 246,125 people have died, according to Johns Hopkins University. The United States leads the world with 1,148,004 people who have been diagnosed with the novel virus. In the U.S., 67,200 deaths have been reported, including 18,572 in New York City.
Symptoms of coronavirus can include a fever, coughing and difficulty breathing, according to the Centers for Diease Control and Prevention. 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 with sick people 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 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. People experiencing COVID-19 symptoms can go to https://www.prismahealth.org/virtual-visit/ and schedule a free online visit, Prisma officials said.
This story was originally published May 3, 2020 at 3:42 PM.
