As SC coronavirus restrictions lift, York County reports 1 new case, officials say
On the day South Carolina’s “home or work” order was lifted, York County reported one new coronavirus case, and Chester and Lancaster counties did not report any, state health officials announced Monday.
The Department of Health and Environmental Control confirmed 135 new cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, bringing its total to 6,757 cases in all 46 counties.
On Friday, Gov. Henry McMaster announced his order would be lifted Monday and restaurants, which had to close dine-in services in mid-March, could begin serving customers outdoors. Some York County restaurants opened its outside doors.
“We’re doing it,” Jason Cloud, owner of Burgers & Barley in Rock Hill told The Herald Monday. “We weighed the consequences and what not, and put together a plan of action to make sure everything can be kept sanitary and safe.”
Last week, York County Council chairman Michael Johnson said it’s important to still follow safety measures as the economy reopens.
“I am relieved that the governor is easing restrictions and allowing businesses to reopen,” Johnson said. “It is still important that people be smart about going out and continue to follow CDC guidelines and social distancing. While we begin the process of reopening the economy, we must be mindful of the threat COVID-19 continues to be.”
Now, there have been 222 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in York County since the pandemic started, according to DHEC. Chester County has had 34 cases and Lancaster County has had 99 cases, according to DHEC.
In addition to the new cases, the agency announced Monday that eight other individuals have died in Clarendon, Greenville, Horry, Richland and Marlboro counties.
Based on DHEC’s count, there now have been 283 coronavirus-related deaths in South Carolina. Four residents in Lancaster County and three residents in York County have died after contracting the virus. Chester County has not reported any deaths.
More than 67,000 coronavirus tests had been completed by DHEC’s public lab and private labs as of Monday, and roughly 10% of tests have come back positive, according to the agency. DHEC projected Friday that about 79% of those diagnosed with the virus have recovered.
By mid-May, DHEC officials expect nearly 1,000 positive cases to be reported per week, according to new projections released Monday. By May 23, South Carolina is expected to reach a total of 9,652 cases.
Based on new projections released Monday, there are likely many unreported cases in the area. DHEC calculated that there are up to 1,364 unidentified cases in York County. The agency estimated Lancaster County has as many as 608 unidentified cases, and Chester County has up to 209 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.
What else you should know
On Tuesday, top officials in York County will hold a Facebook Live question and answer town hall related to the pandemic. The event is set for 1 p.m.
York County Sheriff Kevin Tolson, County Manager David Hudspeth, Emergency Management Director Chuck Haynes, and representatives from public works and animal control will be part of the virtual town hall, said Trent Faris, spokesman for the sheriff’s office.
“We want to help people understand what’s going on in York County during this pandemic,” Faris said.
The event will run live on both the sheriff’s office Facebook page and the York County Facebook page.
Confirmed cases by ZIP codes
As of Sunday night, there are cases in the following York County ZIP codes:
- 29704 - 2
- 29708 - 23
- 29710 - 34
- 29715 - 36
- 29717 - 2
- 29730 - 46
- 29732 - 62
- 29745 - 14
There are cases in the following Lancaster County ZIP codes:
- 29058 - 5
- 29067 - 9
- 29707 - 21
- 29720 - 72
There are cases in the following Chester County ZIP codes:
- 29014 - 2
- 29055 - 5
- 29706 - 16
- 29712 - 1
- 29714 - 7
This story was originally published May 4, 2020 at 5:26 PM.
