What’s the best way to celebrate July 4 in South Carolina? At home, DHEC recommends.
The state health department is now recommending that South Carolina residents find ways to celebrate this July 4 at home, and stands by communities that make it harder to congregate.
On Tuesday morning the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control issued a release that asks people to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 even if it means changes to typical Independence Day celebrations. The release comes as more in-state positive cases result from people gathering in groups without social distancing or wearing masks, according to the health department.
The health department also supports local governments and event organizers who chose to cancel large gatherings, according to the release. The agency recommends “home-based festivities” and watching firework shows either in vehicles or virtually.
In York County, municipalities and civic groups have canceled fireworks shows or gone virtual with celebrations in Rock Hill, Fort Mill, Lake Wylie and York. Tega Cay canceled some of its annual July 4 activities but kept its parade and fireworks show as scheduled. Baxter Village has a July 4 parade planned, too.
There are precautions in place from ID checkpoints to limit traffic in Tega Cay to social distancing measures for parade viewing at Baxter.
“For those who want to see it, the only public spaces to see it are along Market Street in Baxter Village Town Center, on Market Street between Assembly Drive and Springmaid Avenue,” said Mike Martoccia, activity director for the Baxter event. “Parking is behind the businesses on the east side of Market Street. We also ask that attendees find a space that has plenty of social distancing — 6 feet or more — and we ask that attendees wear face coverings.”
The health department makes its latest recommendation as coronavirus spreads rapidly in South Carolina, particularly in coastal areas.
“We’ve all given so much for so long, and we all want to be at our beautiful beaches, at our parks, our friends’ houses, our block parties and community events but I’m asking all of us to stay vigilant in the fight against this deadly virus,” DHEC public health director Joan Duwve said in the release. “While we celebrate our country’s birthday, please help your communities, especially those who are at increased risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death.”
As of Monday afternoon, York County had 1,155 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 12 deaths from the virus. Lancaster County had 437 positives and 11 deaths, with another death listed as probable. Chester County had 172 positive tests and one death.
York County joined other parts of the state in setting several single-day highs for positive tests in the past week. The health department states a lack of social distancing and wearing of masks is part of the escalation.
Recent data also shows young people testing positive more often. South Carolina has seen a recent 966% increase in cases for patients age 11-20 and a 413% increase for ages 21-30, according to the health department.
“In addition to the disheartening increases in young people transmitting the virus to their family and friends, new data indicate that asymptomatic people can spread the virus more easily than initially thought,” said state epidemiologist Linda Bell. “If you’ve tested positive but don’t have symptoms, it’s imperative that you complete your quarantine period in order to not spread the virus to others while you’re contagious.”
If state residents do plan to travel for July 4, the health department reminds them several local governments have put face covering requirements in place and guests should be aware of them.
