SC officials are monitoring 13 people for possible exposure to coronavirus
South Carolina officials are monitoring more than a dozen people for possible exposure to coronavirus, according to a release from the Department of Health and Environmental Control.
There are no confirmed cases of coronavirus in S.C. Five people have been tested, but all of the tests came back negative, according to the release.
DHEC is currently monitoring 13 people and has completed its monitoring of 49 people, according to the release.
DHEC monitors people if they have “either traveled to an area impacted by the virus, have had contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19, or who meet other criteria for risk,” said DHEC Chief of Staff Jennifer Read. “We monitor them for 14 days after their last contact or exposure to check for the development of COVID-19 symptoms. Depending on their level of risk, the individuals are asked to restrict their activities and may include staying home and avoiding social settings as a precaution.”
Symptoms of coronavirus vary in seriousness, but include fever, cough and shortness of breath, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Officials have said the best way to protect against coronavirus is to wash hands, avoid contact with the sick and cover coughs. It is not effective to prevent coronavirus by purchasing surgical masks, according to media reports.
Do you have questions about the coronavirus? The State will get the answers for you. Go to bit.ly/SCvirus and let us know what you need to know.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
The coronavirus is spreading in the United States. Officials are urging people to take precautions to avoid getting sick, and to avoid spreading the disease if they do contract it.
Click the drop-down icon on this card for more on the virus and what you should do to keep yourself and those around you healthy.
What is coronavirus?
Coronavirus is an infection of the respiratory system similar to the flu. Coronaviruses are a class of viruses that regularly cause illnesses among adults and children, but this outbreak has spawned a new disease called COVID-19, a particularly harsh respiratory condition that can lead to death.
Health officials believe COVID-19 spread from animals to humans somewhere in China. It spreads among humans by physical person-to-person contact, including via coughs. That’s why health officials urge sick individuals to avoid contact with other people.
For more information, visit the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms are similar to the flu and include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
How can I stop the spread of the coronavirus?
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
If you develop symptoms similar to the coronavirus, you should seek medical attention. Stay home from work or school and avoid contact with others. It can take up to 14 days after coming into contact with the virus to develop symptoms.
COVID-19 is a new condition and there’s much about the disease we still don’t understand. For now, taking precautions is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
This story was originally published March 4, 2020 at 11:33 AM.