York County region COVID19 cases continue to rise; officials urge social distancing
Two new coronavirus, or COVID-19, cases were reported in York County Friday, according to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control. Lancaster County logged one new case.
DHEC did not report any additional cases for Chester County.
Health officials announced 168 new cases and eight more deaths in South Carolina.
Six people who died were older individuals from Aiken, Beaufort, Charleston, Dorchester, Greenville and Kershaw counties, according to DHEC. Two were middle-aged people from Greenville and Lexington counties.
The state now has 5,070 confirmed cases and 157 deaths, reports DHEC.
A previous reported death of a person from Florence County has been removed from the state’s total as officials review whether the death was related to COVID-19, according to DHEC.
Local emergency officials urged the public not to stop using the measures that had helped mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 disease, especially through the upcoming weekend where the urge would be to go out more.
Social distancing measures, and staying home whenever possible, continue to be the best way to keep families safe, said Chuck Haynes, York County Emergency Management Director.
York County is up to 172 reported cases, according to DHEC. Health officials estimate that for every known case of COVID-19, nine more people could have the virus and remain unidentified.
Lancaster County is up to 80 positive cases total, but of those only 19 cases are active, said Darren Player, Lancaster County Emergency Management Director.
All the early cases that were in Indian Land, for example, are no longer active, Player said.
“We want to remind people it appears social distancing is working,” Player said. “As we try at Governor McMaster’s urging to begin to reopen the economy of our county and state, taking personal responsibility to adhere to social distance guidance is crucial.
“Wearing masks of some type over mouth and nose, and being careful to wash hands often with soap and water or hand sanitizer if that’s all that is available, will help ensure we continue the downward trend in cases. Everyone has to take responsibility,” Player said.
Chester County Supervisor Shane Stuart also urged the public to adhere to stay at home guidelines whenever possible. Chester County has 26 reported cases, according to DHEC.
“Even though they are changing daily, the numbers are not going away,” Stuart said. “The numbers continue to tell us a story. A story where we can help modify the outcome. Remember this, that as Americans, we can adapt, overcome, and improvise with the best of them. This pandemic is no different. “
Stuart urged the public to be responsible for not just themselves and their family, but to be good neighbors.
“It is imperative that we as a community continue to self-police ourselves with social distancing guidelines,” Stuart said. “The next time you have to go out to a public place for essentials, look at your mask and think, I’m wearing this for the health of others. Especially for those citizens who are over the age of 65 and have other health conditions. By taking these social distancing steps, we are performing an act of love for our neighbors. We as society can be the change we want to see.”
Cases by zip code, as of Friday:
York County ZIP codes:
- 29704 - 1
- 29708 - 18
- 29710 - 31
- 29715 - 28
- 29717 - 2
- 29730 - 30
- 29732 - 48
- 29745 - 10
Lancaster County ZIP codes:
- 29058 - 4
- 29067 - 6
- 29707 - 19
- 29720 - 56
Chester County ZIP codes:
- 29014 - 2
- 29055 - 5
- 29706 - 13
- 29712 - 1
- 29714 - 5
