York County region leaders urge caution as COVID-19 restrictions ease, cases rise
The York County region saw a spike in cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, reported on Friday.
York County logged eight new cases, bringing the total to 233, reports the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control. Chester County’s total went up four cases to 39, and Lancaster added three new cases for a total of 103.
South Carolina officials announced 238 new cases Friday, bringing the state’s total to 7,367. The death toll also rose by four to 320, reports DHEC.
The four people who died were elderly and lived in Clarendon, Florence and Greenville counties, DHEC reports.
DHEC has symptom onset data for 5,087 of the individuals who tested positive for COVID-19. Of those, about 81% have recovered and 19% remain ill.
Top officials in York and Chester counties urge the public to remain vigilant and careful about social interactions.
The increase of four cases in Chester County shows the pandemic continues and that the community needs to wear masks in public and use social distancing, said Shane Stuart, Chester County Supervisor, and Eddie Murphy, Emergency Management Director.
“This event that we have been in now for two months is not over,” Murphy said. “In a county our size, a four-case jump is significant and shows that we can’t let our guard down. The public has to use good practices when out at the store or doing anything outside their homes.”
Masks are a health protection, not just for the person wearing it, but for anyone else who comes near the person, Stuart said.
York County Sheriff Kevin Tolson said the continuation of new positive COVID-19 cases is another reminder that the best way to keep people safe is to limit leaving home.
Eased business, recreation and shopping restrictions in both South Carolina and North Carolina that started Friday do not mean that people from York County should let their guards down, Tolson said.
Gov. Henry McMaster announced that indoor dining will be allowed at restaurants starting Monday, The State newspaper reports.
Staying at home, while now voluntary, remains the best practice, Tolson said.
“We are still asking folks to take all precautions, use social distancing, and do only what is necessary,” he said.
Testing
As state health officials increase testing, the number of confirmed cases in the state is expected to increase, according to DHEC.
As of Thursday, DHEC’s public laboratory conducted 19,733 COVID-19 tests, a release states. Of those, 2,616 were positive and 11,117 were negative.
Both DHEC’s lab and private labs have completed a total of 78,290 tests, with 7,367 positive results, according to DHEC.
Confirmed cases by ZIP code
As of Thursday night, there are cases in the following York County ZIP codes:
- 29704 - 2
- 29708 - 23
- 29710 - 35
- 29715 - 34
- 29717 - 2
- 29730 - 49
- 29732 - 67
- 29745 - 15
There are cases in the following Lancaster County ZIP codes:
- 29058 - 4
- 29067 - 12
- 29707 - 21
- 29720 - 73
There are cases in the following Chester County ZIP codes:
- 29014 - 2
- 29055 - 5
- 29706 - 17
- 29712 - 1
- 29714 - 9
This story was originally published May 8, 2020 at 6:05 PM.
