Lancaster County resident tests positive for coronavirus, DHEC says
A woman from Lancaster County has presumptively tested positive for coronavirus, according to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
It is the 10th confirmed or presumptive positive case of the virus in South Carolina. The number of patients in the state has risen daily this week. Lancaster County is adjacent to Kershaw County, where seven of the 10 cases have been reported.
DHEC said in a release Wednesday afternoon that the Lancaster County woman tested positive for COVID-19 at DHEC’s public health laboratory. She is hospitalized and isolated, according to DHEC.
Presumptive cases are positive tests that still need to be confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. DHEC treats all presumptive cases as cases of coronavirus.
DHEC did not identify where the Lancaster County woman is hospitalized.
“A contact investigation is underway, and at this time there is no known travel outside the state or known contact with another case,” the health agency said in a news release announcing the newest case. “DHEC is working with the healthcare facility and taking routine measures to prevent possible spread.”
Two positive cases of coronavirus in South Carolina have been confirmed by the CDC — one in Charleston County and one in Kershaw County. Eight other cases, including the Lancaster County case reported Wednesday, have been tested positively by DHEC and are awaiting confirmation by the CDC.
There have been seven cases of the virus reported in Kershaw County, one in Charleston County, one in Spartanburg County and the newest one in Lancaster County.
Concerns of the virus have canceled multiple local events, including Baxter Village’s St. Patrick’s Day event in Fort Mill. On Tuesday, Special Olympics South Carolina announced the cancellation of three statewide events, The Herald previously reported.
Darren Player, Lancaster County Emergency Management Director, said he was made aware Wednesday of a possible case of coronavirus detected in a woman in Lancaster County.
Player said residents should remain vigilant about following hygiene and cleanliness recommendations from the CDC.
“We urge residents to continue to follow the CDC guidelines that are in place to protect the public,” Player told The Herald Wednesday after the DHEC announcement.
Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Doug Barfield said staff have been advised of the possible case of coronavirus. No changes have been implemented in the way officers will respond to the public or emergencies, Barfield said.
“We urge people to be safe, responsible and not to panic,” Barfield said.
Coronavirus symptoms include fever, shortness of breath and cough. People should regularly wash their hands and cover their mouth when they cough, according to DHEC.
Anyone who develops symptoms of the virus should stay home from work or school and seek medical attention.
For more information, visit the DHEC website at scdhec.gov/COVID19 or the CDC website.
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 11, 2020 at 5:10 PM with the headline "Lancaster County resident tests positive for coronavirus, DHEC says."
