Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on June 15
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Record numbers continue
At least 19,378 people in South Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus and 600 have died, according to state health officials.
On Monday, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control reported an additional 582 cases of the virus, continuing the state’s record-breaking streak of coronavirus cases. DHEC officials have recorded at least 350 new cases each day since June 4.
State health officials also reported two additional deaths in Charleston and Lexington counties on Monday.
More than 7.9 million cases of COVID-19 and 434,000 deaths have been reported worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University. In the United States, more than 2 million cases and 115,000 deaths have been reported.
Restaurants won’t close over COVID-19 cases
The state health department is offering guidance to restaurants where employees test positive for the coronavirus, but it isn’t forcing them to close, the Myrtle Beach Sun News reports.
The guidance follows at least seven restaurants in the Myrtle Beach area saying they would close after an employee tested positive.
“Having a food worker test positive doesn’t mean everyone in the facility was at risk for coming into contact with the virus,” officials said in a statement.
But employees of restaurants that choose to close for additional cleaning will still be eligible for unemployment, they said.
Rep. Tom Rice tests positive
Republican congressman Tom Rice, a South Carolina Republican whose seventh district includes the Myrtle Beach area, and members of his family have tested positive for the coronavirus, he said Tuesday.
Rice, who is running for re-election, called the virus the “Wuhan Flu” in an announcement on Facebook.
Concern over trends
Sunday marked the seventh consecutive day in which more than 400 daily coronavirus cases were reported, which has health officials concerned, The State reports.
Health officials estimate there will be 2,900 more cases reported this week and 3,200 the following week.
On Saturday, 5,875 COVID-19 tests were reported in South Carolina, and 13.6% of them came back positive — marking the sixth day in a row in which more than 10% of those tested received a positive result.
South Carolina has been reopening since late April, and Gov. Henry McMaster says he doesn’t plan to rollback the loosening of any restrictions.
Lawmakers divided on how to slow COVID-19 spread
One South Carolina lawmaker says Gov. Henry McMaster should leave “all options on the table” to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the state.
“We are in a public health crisis in the state of South Carolina,” said S.C. Sen. Maron Kimpson, a Charleston Democrat, The State reported. “All options should be on the table, including emergency orders curtailing activities that increase the likelihood that the general public will be exposed to this very deadly virus.”
McMaster said last week he had no intentions of ordering businesses to close again, adding that it comes down to “individual responsibility.”
This story was originally published June 15, 2020 at 7:33 AM.
