Coronavirus latest: Lancaster adds 27 cases, York reports 36 and one death
Lancaster County matched its highest daily number of coronavirus cases reported to date in the pandemic, South Carolina health officials announced Thursday.
The county added 27 cases Thursday, for a total of 375 confirmed cases, according to the Department of Health and Environmental Control. Lancaster County reported 27 daily cases one other time in early June, according to official state numbers.
DHEC reported two additional probable cases in Lancaster County, for a total of eight. A probable case would be someone who has not received lab test results, but has coronavirus symptoms or a positive antibody test, according to DHEC’s definition.
Lancaster County Emergency Management Director Darren Player said the numbers are likely reflective of ongoing increased testing, plus community spread.
One location in Lancaster County tested more than 500 people last week, and another on Wednesday tested almost 300, Player said.
“We still have an awful lot of testing going on, which means that some of those tests are going to be positive,” Player said.
DHEC identified 1,106 new cases of COVID-19 across the state Thursday, pushing the overall total of infections to 28,962 and probable cases to 60.
York County added 36 new cases, for a total of 942, according to DHEC. Chester County reported three new cases and now has had 157 cases confirmed since the pandemic started, DHEC said.
York and Chester have each reported one probable case, according to DHEC.
COVID-19 deaths
DHEC announced Thursday an elderly individual died as a result of the virus in York County. Based on DHEC’s count, there have been 12 coronavirus-related deaths in the county.
The agency reported a probable death in Lancaster County. A probable death would be someone whose death certificate lists COVID-19 as a cause or death or a contributing factor, but has not received a lab test, DHEC officials said. The individual was elderly, according to DHEC.
In the last seven days, Lancaster County has reported six new deaths related to the virus. Based on DHEC’s count, the county has had 10 confirmed coronavirus-related deaths. Lancaster County Coroner Karla Knight Deese announced Tuesday that her office has confirmed 12 coronavirus-related deaths in the county.
With the addition of eight new deaths related to the virus reported across the state Wednesday, one of which was in York County, the state’s death toll is now at 691.
Testing and hospitalization rates
On Tuesday, 6,536 tests were conducted statewide, with 16.9% having positive results, DHEC reported. Since March, labs across the state have completed 370,794 tests.
Free testing will again be provided to York County residents Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Clinton Chapel AME Zion Church, 302 California Street in York. No insurance or appointment is required.
Hospitals across the state are at about 75% of capacity. Of the 7,842 beds in use across the state on Thursday, DHEC officials said, 881 were occupied by coronavirus patients or those who are suspected of having COVID-19.
Hospitals in York County are at 85% capacity and Lancaster County hospitals are at about 54% capacity, according to DHEC.
Cases by ZIP code
As of Wednesday night, there are cases in the following ZIP codes:
York County
- 29704 - 11
- 29708 - 103
- 29710 - 122
- 29715 - 115
- 29717 - 5
- 29730 - 230
- 29732 - 233
- 29745 - 96
Lancaster County
- 29058 - 14
- 29067 - 35
- 29707 - 68
- 29720 - 278
Chester County
- 29014 - 16
- 29055 - 46
- 29706 - 59
- 29712 - 10
- 29714 - 20
