More than 1,000 new cases of COVID-19 reported in South Carolina over past three days
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control confirmed 312 new cases of the coronavirus on Sunday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 11,861.
In addition to the new cases, state health officials said seven more people have died after testing positive for COVID-19, DHEC said.
The death toll in South Carolina has now reached 494.
The news brought one of the largest number of positive tests reported in one day by DHEC since testing began in early March. The past two days have set records in South Carolina for the highest number of coronavirus cases confirmed in a single day.
On Friday, 331 positive tests were confirmed by health officials. Saturday’s initial report from DHEC listed 266 new cases of COVID-19 across South Carolina, but that number was updated Sunday with an additional 154 positive tests bringing Saturday’s total to 420 new cases of coronavirus.
The higher number of daily confirmed coronavirus infections comes as S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster has reopened much of the state’ economy with restrictions to promote social distancing. But the new numbers also come as the state has aggressively ramped up testing in recent weeks in an effort to test as many people as possible, a move state health officials have said could lead to a spike in cases.
“As South Carolina increases testing, there will likely be more laboratory-confirmed cases,” DHEC said.
Of the 312 new cases, 28 of them are from Richland County. Richland County is second in the state in positive coronavirus tests with 1,546, behind Greenville County, which has reported 1,708 confirmed infections.
There were 11 positive tests in Lexington County, bringing the number there to 656. Kershaw County had three positive tests reported Sunday and 335 overall.
There have been 188,355 combined negative tests at DHEC’s public health laboratory and at private labs out of 206,247 tests performed.
“Evidence is increasing about the high rates of infection in people who do not have symptoms and don’t know they are infectious,” the South Carolina Emergency Management Division said Sunday. “This places everyone at risk of getting the virus or unknowingly transmitting it to someone else.”
DHEC officials implored South Carolinians to take recommended precautions to prevent spreading the disease.
“We realize that what we are asking everyone to continue to do is not easy,” the agency’s leaders said in a news release.
“But what we’re calling on South Carolinians to do by continuing to practice social distancing, wearing a mask while in public, and limiting their close contacts is critical to controlling the spread of this virus, and ultimately, saving lives.”
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.
As of Sunday afternoon, 6,108,525 people worldwide have been diagnosed with coronavirus and 370,247 people have died, while 2,596,403 have recovered according to Johns Hopkins University. The United States leads the world with 1,775,125 people who have been diagnosed with the novel virus. In the U.S. 103,906 deaths have been reported, including 29,710 in New York City.
On Saturday, DHEC issued a statement from South Carolina native and “Late Show” host Stephen Colbert where he encouraged taking action to slow the spread of COVID-19.
“Together we can slow the spread of COVID-19,” Colbert said in the video release. “If you must be out and about, please remember to maintain six feet of social distance and cover your face with a mask. That’s how we all Stay SC Strong.”
Colbert is participating in DHEC’s #StaySCStrong influencer campaign, along with other fellow prominent South Carolinians like Darius Rucker and Dawn Staley among others. They are sharing steps residents can take to protect themselves and others from COVID-19.
This story was originally published May 31, 2020 at 3:38 PM.
