‘This is not over’: York County officials urge caution as COVID19 cases increase
Health officials confirmed eight new COVID-19 cases Friday in York County, two in Lancaster County and one in Chester County.
The state logged 232 new cases of the disease caused by the coronavirus, bringing the total to 8,407, reports the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
York County now has 280 confirmed cases, according to DHEC. Lancaster County’s total is 110 and Chester County has 40 reported cases.
DHEC also reported nine more deaths, bringing the number of deaths to 380.
Eight of the people who died were older individuals from Cherokee, Clarendon, Fairfield, Florence, Pickens and Sumter counties. Another middle-aged person from Clarendon County also died related to COVID-19, according to DHEC.
Chuck Haynes, York County Emergency Management Director, said the county had high numbers of cases this week.
The high numbers are from increased testing of more people, Haynes said.
York County had 15 positive cases Tuesday, and eight each day Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, according to DHEC and county figures.
However, the consistent positive tests show the virus has not stalled and the public needs to make sure people remain vigilant about personal hygiene and social distancing, officials say. Citizens should wear masks in public and avoid taking unnecessary trips into crowded places.
“The weekend is here and people are anxious to get out and enjoy the good weather,” Haynes said. “But we all have to be reminded that this is not over.
“The same guidelines that have helped our county keep positive cases down remain in effect. We ask residents to stay cautious and safe, and do all they can to protect themselves, their families and their neighbors.”
Testing
Chester County Supervisor Shane Stuart said Medical University of South Carolina will provide drive-through public coronavirus testing in late May and early June for the residents of Chester County.
Details about the testing dates and site are still being finalized, Stuart said.
The ability for more people to be tested is a bonus for the health of residents in mainly rural Chester County, Stuart said.
“We see this as a way to get the people of Chester County the testing they need,” Stuart said.
Piedmont Medical Center in Rock Hill also does COVID-19 testing, The Herald previously reported. Affinity Health Care in Rock Hill offers drive-through testing. North Central Family Medical Center in Rock Hill tests symptomatic patients and is planning to offer drive-through testing by appointment.
DHEC is planning to increase testing in May, officials said. Mobile testing events are scheduled across the state. To find a free testing event, visit scdhec.gov/covid19testing.
DHEC’s public lab has conducted 23,980 COVID-19 tests as of Thursday. Of those, 2,963 were positive. Private labs and DHEC’s lab have completed a total of 109,616 tests.
Confirmed cases by zip code
As of Thursday night, there are cases in the following ZIP codes:
York County:
- 29704 - 2
- 29708 - 28
- 29710 - 38
- 29715 - 38
- 29717 - 2
- 29730 - 59
- 29732 - 88
- 29745 - 17
Lancaster County:
- 29058 - 4
- 29067 - 12
- 29707 - 25
- 29720 - 75
Chester County:
- 29014 - 2
- 29055 - 5
- 29706 - 20
- 29712 - 1
- 29714 - 7
This story was originally published May 15, 2020 at 4:59 PM.
