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DHEC announces two more possible coronavirus cases, raising SC total to nine
State officials have announced two more possible coronavirus cases in South Carolina.
Both “presumptive” cases are in Kershaw County, where officials announced earlier this week the virus had begun to spread among the community, according to a news release from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
The two new patients who tested as a presumptive positive are either family members or close friends — DHEC wouldn’t specify — and are hospitalized. The release didn’t say which hospital.
DHEC is investigating how the two, new patients contracted the virus, the release said.
There have been nine confirmed or presumptive cases so far in South Carolina, including seven in Kershaw County. There is one case in Charleston County and another in Spartanburg County. Two cases have been officially confirmed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and testing by DHEC has detected the additional seven cases, according to previous articles from The State.
DHEC is awaiting confirmation from the CDC on the additional seven cases. The state agency has tested 41 people so far, with 32 people testing negative.
As of Tuesday afternoon, S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster does not have plans to call for a state of emergency, spokesman Brian Symmes told The State. McMaster will be in touch with public health officials about the virus, Symmes said.
In North Carolina, where seven people have been diagnosed with the virus, Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency on Tuesday. The declaration conveys to the public that the illness is enough of a threat that they should take protective measures against it, and it makes the state eligible for federal emergency funding, according to the News and Observer of Raleigh.
Shortly after DHEC announced the two new cases, the Medical University of South Carolina said it would be screening all visitors to its hospital in Charleston.
“For any visitor who is well and hasn’t experienced any of these symptoms, they’ll be able to visit our hospital as they normally would,” the release said.
But anyone who has experienced coughing, fever and shortness of breath within the previous 48 hours will be asked to leave.
A Kershaw County Council member said officials there are aware of the increased coronavirus cases in the area, but are not panicking.
“We’re all vigilant and we’re aware that the virus is going around but mostly, we’re just practicing good hygiene,” said David Snodgrass, whose district includes Camden.
Snodgrass is a pastor at a local church and — save for the church leaders encouraging people to “use elbows” when touching — the service and attendance have been normal, he said.
The county has a virus response plan and county council members planned to discuss it at a Tuesday night meeting, but they want to make sure they do “not to have a response that alarms people,” Snodgrass said.
Though the number of cases has increased, DHEC does not recommend closing schools, government offices or canceling public events, according to the news release issued Tuesday. That hasn’t stopped some schools from announcing that a few students are in voluntary isolation because of indirect contact with coronavirus patients.
Also, Columbia City Council has changed its meeting protocols, according to an article from The State.
DHEC emphasized in the release that people can protect themselves from coronavirus by washing their hands, covering their coughs and avoiding sick people.
“Our coordinated response efforts continue to identify new cases,” said DHEC epidemiologist Linda Bell. “We are working with the CDC and state and local officials to limit community spread while continuing with our protocol for identifying travel-related cases in the state.”
A “presumptive positive” test means DHEC evaluated the coronavirus test kit and determined the test was positive. Because the coronavirus test is new, the CDC has to double-check the test kit before confirming a positive case.
It takes between 24-48 hours for the CDC to confirm DHEC’s testing results.
BEHIND OUR REPORTING
What 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.
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