If you’ve been to a South Carolina beach, get tested for COVID-19, health officials say
Visitors to South Carolina beaches should get tested for coronavirus, government leaders announced Friday.
“If you’ve gone to the beach, you’ve likely come in contact with somebody who is positive, but perhaps asymptomatic,” said Joan Duwve, director of public health with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Infection rates are high among people who visit the state’s beaches, Duwve said. She said they have reports of whole groups visiting beaches then testing positive.
She advised anyone who went to the beach on a school trip and participated in group activities — especially those who lacked social distancing or didn’t wear mask — should get tested.
“It would be a good idea,” Duwve said.
She said many pop-up testing sites across the state offer free COVID-19 screenings.
Myrtle Beach has seen a spike in its number of cases since allowing new hotel reservations and Memorial Day weekend. Several states reported outbreaks after people visited the Grand Strand and some governors warned people against visiting Myrtle Beach.
Gov. Henry McMaster said he has no plans to close South Carolina beaches ahead of the July 4 weekend.
This story was originally published June 26, 2020 at 5:24 PM with the headline "If you’ve been to a South Carolina beach, get tested for COVID-19, health officials say."
