Coronavirus latest: York County reports 20-plus cases for 3rd day this week
For the third consecutive day, York County reported more than 20 new coronavirus cases, South Carolina health officials announced.
The county added 22 cases Wednesday, for a total of 536 cases since the pandemic started, according to the Department of Health and Environmental Control. On Monday, York County added 22 cases, and 24 on Tuesday.
“I have to say that today, I am more concerned about COVID-19 in South Carolina than I have ever been before,” state epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell said at a press conference Wednesday.
The agency identified 528 new cases of COVID-19 across the state Wednesday, marking the third time in five days that state officials have reported more than 500 daily cases. Based on the DHEC’s count, there now have been a total of 15,759 cases reported in South Carolina.
Lancaster County added six new cases, for a total of 220 cases, and Chester County had no new cases, according to DHEC.
In addition to the number of cases, Bell said the percentage of positive tests have jumped in the last weeks. Wednesday, about 13% of tests done across the state were positive. In March and April, the average was about 9%.
“It doesn’t take hard data to observe that many people across the state aren’t social distancing and aren’t avoiding group gatherings and aren’t using masks in public,” Bell said. “We really need all South Carolinians to take all precautions every day — not just to protect ourselves — but to protect others who could become severely ill or who could even die if they’re exposed.”
She pointed out that an increase in testing has allowed the agency to identify “hot spots” in the state, such as Greenville County, which added 145 cases Wednesday. Bell warned that other counties may be vulnerable to outbreaks.
“Your community might not be a hot spot today, but there should be no mistake that COVID-19 transmission is still high and widespread in South Carolina at this time,” she said. “And it remains a threat to all of us.”
York officials explain spike
Chuck Haynes, York County Emergency Management Director, said Wednesday that DHEC officials have told emergency management and York County officials that the increase in testing at free sites that opened across the county is driving the increased positive case numbers.
William “Bump” Roddey, York County Council member, agreed that with far more tests being done, it is consistent that a larger number of positive cases would be revealed.
“We have been told by state and national health officials that a positive test can come from a person who is asymptomatic and has not shown any outward signs of coronavirus,” Roddey said. “These additional tests are important for people to find out if they do have COVID-19, but had not shown any signs or symptoms.”
Roddey said he is concerned that York County’s recent numbers are at the highest since the pandemic began. He has concerns that the public is not continuing to practice the guidelines that seemed to have leveled off cases before the beginning of June when businesses, restaurants and tourist attractions reopened.
Roddey said South Carolina reopening restaurants and other close-contact businesses, such as salons, barbershops, and other places, has likely led to an increase in the spread of the virus.
Additionally, the summer tourist and recreation season has seen people gathering together, Roddey said.
“Even with guidelines for social distancing and the number of people who can be in any establishment, there are still people gathered together in these places,” Roddey said. “The increase in testing seems certain to be a reason for more positive cases, but people are out more. They are interacting more, and this reopening came as the pandemic was and is still going on.”
COVID-19 deaths
Wednesday, DHEC also reported seven more deaths across the state as a result of the virus. Based on DHEC’s count, there now have been 575 coronavirus-related deaths in South Carolina.
Last week, Lancaster County Coroner Karla Knight Deese announced another resident died as a result of the virus. Her office now has confirmed seven coronavirus-related deaths in the county. Deese did not release any more details about the death.
As of Wednesday, DHEC has confirmed six deaths in Lancaster County. DHEC has reported 10 coronavirus-related deaths in York County and one in Chester County.
Hospitals across the state are at about 73% capacity. Wednesday, DHEC officials said, of the 7,608 beds currently used across the state, 513 beds are occupied by coronavirus patients or those who are suspected of having it.
More free testing
Since March, labs across the state have completed 261,377 coronavirus tests.
Free testing will be open again Friday at Clinton Chapel AME Zion Church in York on California Street from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., said Seth Duncan, York City Manager.
The site, operated by Affinity Health in conjunction with the city and York County, has tested several hundred county residents in the three previous Fridays it was open, Duncan said.
“We still urge anyone who can get here to be tested to come and do so,” Duncan said.
Duncan said city officials in York continue to stress social distancing, staying home whenever possible, and proper hygiene. The city has taken an “overly cautious” approach to when it will open up government services, Duncan said.
“We urge people to still take this seriously,” Duncan said. “This pandemic is still a major health concern.”
Coronavirus cases by ZIP code
As of Tuesday night, there are cases in the following ZIP codes:
York County
- 29704 - 6
- 29708 - 57
- 29710 - 71
- 29715 - 63
- 29717 - 3
- 29730 - 125
- 29732 - 149
- 29745 - 44
Lancaster County
- 29058 - 9
- 29067 - 18
- 29707 - 45
- 29720 - 163
Chester County
- 29014 - 12
- 29055 - 39
- 29706 - 35
- 29712 - 5
- 29714 - 14
