Coronavirus spreads to 4 more in York County and one in Lancaster County, officials say
South Carolina health officials identified four more cases of coronavirus in York County, bringing its total to 166. Lancaster County added one case. No new cases were reported for Chester County.
The Department of Health and Environmental Control reported 160 new cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, across the state, for a total of 4,761 positive tests in all 46 counties.
Since the pandemic started, there have been 80 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Lancaster County, according to DHEC. Chester County has had 25, according to DHEC.
DHEC officials estimated Tuesday that about 72% of patients in the state who tested positive for the coronavirus have recovered.
More than 43,000 coronavirus tests had been completed by DHEC’s public lab and private labs in the state as of Wednesday, and roughly 11% of tests have come back positive, according to the department.
The department also announced Wednesday that five other individuals have died in Berkeley, Clarendon, Richland, Greenville and Spartanburg counties. Based on DHEC’s count, there have been 140 coronavirus-related deaths in South Carolina.
Three residents in York County and three residents in Lancaster County have died after contracting the virus, according to DHEC. Chester County has not reported any deaths.
Based on new projections released Wednesday, DHEC calculated that there are up to 1,020 unidentified cases in York County. The department estimated Lancaster County has as many as 491 unidentified cases and Chester County has up to 154 unidentified cases.
According to its website, DHEC calculates the projected cases based on evidence that for every known case, there could be up to nine unidentified people with the virus.
Schools close for rest of year
On Wednesday, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster announced that schools will be closed for the rest of the academic year, and many officials in York, Chester and Lancaster counties supported McMaster’s decision.
S.C. House Majority Leader Gary Simrill, R-Rock Hill, called keeping schools closed the right move for public health and safety.
“I stand with Governor McMaster and salute his ability in making these difficult decisions,” Simrill said. “Keeping our teachers and students safe is paramount.”
York County Council Chairman Michael Johnson, who is a parent of a high school senior in Fort Mill, said the decision is best for all students and staff.
“Decisions like this are tough,” Johnson said. “As a parent of a high school senior I feel the pain that this closure will cause — the loss of prom, the last time to walk off an athletic field and your last day in school. Ultimately though, we need to make decisions that protect the teachers, support staff and students.”
Lancaster County Administrator Steve Willis said the decision to keep schools closed is best for public safety, health, and students and staff. Social distancing of six feet between people will be almost impossible in a school environment, Willis said.
“I think the governor and superintendent of education made the right decision,” Willis said. “I know that the school district would face a number of problems starting back up on short notice. In addition, we have a hard time getting some adults to follow social distancing guidelines. I can’t imagine trying to get a room full of first graders to do so.”
Chester County Supervisor Shane Stuart, a former schools resource officer, agreed that the best solution for safety of children, staff and the public is to keep schools closed through the end of the term.
At the county level, officials remain committed to keeping the virus from spreading and keeping schools closed is a part of that commitment, Stuart said.
“Throughout the coronavirus event, the immediate need to protect the lives of our citizens has been paramount,” Stuart said. “In addition, our objective in local government is to continue to mitigate the risks to the safety and security of the community. The most effective way for anyone to help with this effort is to continue to promote social distancing practices in every area of our lives.”
Confirmed cases by ZIP codes
As of Tuesday night, there are cases in the following York County ZIP codes:
- 29704 - 1
- 29708 - 16
- 29710 - 30
- 29715 - 28
- 29717 - 2
- 29730 - 27
- 29732 - 47
- 29745 - 11
There are cases in the following Lancaster County ZIP codes:
- 29058 - 4
- 29067 - 6
- 29707 - 18
- 29720 - 57
There are cases in the following Chester County ZIP codes:
- 29014 - 2
- 29055 - 5
- 29706 - 12
- 29712 - 1
- 29714 - 5
This story was originally published April 22, 2020 at 5:03 PM.
