York County sees first coronavirus case; SC total rises to 47, health officials say
South Carolina health officials announced Tuesday that York County has its first case of the coronavirus.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control has identified 14 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total in the state to 47.
New cases were announced Tuesday in the following counties:
- Beaufort County: 1
- Charleston County: 2
- Calhoun County: 1
- Kershaw County: 5
- Lexington County: 1
- Richland County: 1
- York County: 1
- Greenville County: 1
- Horry County: 1
Specific details about each new case, like whether the patients have been hospitalized or how they may have contracted COVID-19, were not immediately available.
Chuck Haynes, York County Emergency Management Director, said Tuesday after the governor’s announcement that DHEC told York County’s top officials about the case shortly before releasing the information to the public. Specifics about the person who has the virus, including where in York County the person is, and if the person is hospitalized or under home quarantine, had not been released to York officials as of 6 p.m.
A teleconference is planned among state and local officials, Haynes said.
“We are waiting for specifics from DHEC about the specifics of the person’s case,” Haynes said.
Haynes said with 11 earlier cases reported in Mecklenburg County adjacent to York County in North Carolina, and two cases last week in neighboring Lancaster County, officials did plan for the possibility of a case in York County.
“With those cases in neighboring counties in both North Carolina and South Carolina, we expected this would become the eventual reality,” Haynes said. “We were, and are, prepared to handle this.”
Haynes reiterated that a single case should not cause people in York County to panic.
S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster also announced a sweeping executive order aimed at combating the virus. He ordered restaurants and bars to close their dine-in areas, banned gatherings of more than 50 people and allowed state agencies to waive regulations that hinder their coronavirus response.
McMaster also announced he was extending the state tax deadline.
“The idea behind this is to allow these businesses to maintain their tax flow,” McMaster said.
Monday afternoon, South Carolina Department of Environmental Control officials reported several new cases, bringing the total to 33 cases of COVID-19. Tidelands Waccamaw Community Hospital in Murrells Inlet reported an additional case Monday night.
Most of the cases were centered in Kershaw County.
Monday, the Department of Health and Environmental Control announced the first coronavirus-related death in South Carolina.
Thursday, McMaster asked state lawmakers to make $45 million available to help state agencies respond to COVID-19. Legislative leaders vowed to pass a joint resolution to make the funding available.
S.C. senators met Tuesday to pass the resolution before heading home for the rest of the week. The House is on furlough this week, but is expected to return Thursday to take up the funding bill.
Congress has already approved an emergency spending package that would send $8.9 million to the Palmetto State to help with the coronavirus response. Friday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed an additional package that would provide free testing, paid sick leave and expand other programs to help those out of work due to COVID-19.
McMaster declared a state of emergency Friday afternoon. He also ordered that schools in Kershaw and Lancaster counties close for 14 days, the longest length of time it could take for someone to experience the symptoms of the coronavirus.
The governor also ordered election officials to postpone elections scheduled for March and April until after May 1.
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 17, 2020 at 5:30 PM.
