Coronavirus spreads to 6 more in York County as total climbs above 170, officials say
Six more cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in York County, and one more case has been reported in Chester County, South Carolina health officials announced Thursday.
The Department of Health and Environmental Control reported 161 new cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, across the state, for a total of 4,917 positive tests in all 46 counties.
Now, there have been 171 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in York County since the pandemic started, according to DHEC. Chester County has had 26 and Lancaster County, which did not report any new cases Thursday, has had 79 cases, according to DHEC.
The department also announced Thursday that 10 other individuals have died in Aiken, Allendale, Anderson, Fairfield, Lexington, Richland and Spartanburg counties. Seven of the recent deaths involved elderly individuals, according to DHEC.
Based on DHEC’s count, there have been 150 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.
Chester County Emergency Management Director Eddie Murphy said even with emergency stay-at-home rules, social distancing has been difficult to enforce and said he supported Gov. Henry McMaster’s decision that he announced Wednesday to keep schools closed for the rest of the academic year.
“Anything we continue to do to put this pandemic to bed is in the best interest of public safety and health,” Murphy said.
York County Emergency Management Director Chuck Haynes, who has school-age children, also said the decision to close schools for the rest of the year was the right one for public health and safety.
Haynes has repeatedly urged the public to practice social distancing and stay home whenever possible to slow the spread of the disease.
“These efforts by the state Department of Education further demonstrate that public safety is still the first priority of government,” Haynes said. “Keeping our kids healthy will keep our community healthy.”
Chester County Sheriff Max Dorsey, who has school-age children and his wife is a teacher, said the decision to keep schools closed is difficult but necessary to protect the children, staff and the public.
“This is yet another tough decision our state leaders are having to make in an effort to stop the spread of this dangerous virus,” Dorsey said. “I know the governor and secretary of education weighed all options before making this decision.
Although it is unfortunate in so many ways for the students to miss important classroom instruction, and time spent participating in extra-curricular activities, I am proud of how teachers, administrators, support staff, and students have adapted to utilizing new methods of instruction through the use of technology.”
DHEC officials estimated Tuesday that about 72% of patients in the state who tested positive for the coronavirus have recovered.
More than 44,000 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.
Based on new projections released Thursday, DHEC calculated that there are up to 1,050 unidentified cases in York County. The department estimated Lancaster County has as many as 485 unidentified cases and Chester County has up to 160 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.
Confirmed cases by ZIP codes
As of Wednesday night, there are cases in the following York County ZIP codes:
- 29704 - 1
- 29708 - 19
- 29710 - 31
- 29715 - 28
- 29717 - 2
- 29730 - 29
- 29732 - 47
- 29745 - 10
There are cases in the following Lancaster County ZIP codes:
- 29058 - 4
- 29067 - 6
- 29707 - 18
- 29720 - 56
There are cases in the following Chester County ZIP codes:
- 29014 - 2
- 29055 - 5
- 29706 - 13
- 29712 - 1
- 29714 - 5
This story was originally published April 23, 2020 at 4:33 PM.
