SC lawmaker calls on Gov. McMaster to track rural coronavirus tests more specifically
A South Carolina lawmaker is calling for officials to collect and release more specific data on where people are getting tested for coronavirus.
In a letter to the governor, S.C. Rep. Wendy Brawley, D-Richland, argues tracking the number of tests by ZIP code will reveal whether COVID-19 cases are being undercounted in rural communities.
“A low number of positive test results does not mean that the virus is not vastly prevalent in certain zip codes, but most likely means that fewer tests are being offered to residents in those zip code areas,” Brawley said in the letter sent Friday to Gov. Henry McMaster.
South Carolina reports the number of positive cases by ZIP code but not the number of total tests.
When Brawley asked the Department of Health and Environmental Control about the data, the agency told her it does not track the number of total tests by ZIP code, according to the letter.
Brawley’s letter calls on McMaster to direct DHEC to begin collecting the data and release it publicly.
Nick Davidson, DHEC’s director of community health, said he does “not anticipate” collecting that information.
That’s because when a person tests positive, officials “pursue, in great detail, positive cases,” including an investigation of where the person lives and with whom they have had contact, Davidson said. When a person tests negative, DHEC moves on.
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 April 17, 2020 at 5:09 PM.