Coronavirus latest: York County adds 100-plus cases in one day over July 4 weekend
Over the holiday weekend, York County added nearly 200 new coronavirus cases, South Carolina health officials announced.
On Saturday and Sunday, there were 47 and 25 cases added, respectively, according to the Department of Health and Environmental Control.
The county, which now has a total of 1,481 cases, reported 104 new cases on Friday, according to DHEC.
That marks the county’s highest increase in daily cases reported to date during in the pandemic. The previous high was 59, which was set on June 29.
Across the state, DHEC identified 1,463 new cases of COVID-19 Sunday, bringing the state’s overall total of infections to 44,717. Officials also reported that an additional eight South Carolinians have died as a result of the virus, bringing the state’s death toll to 813.
York County Council member William “Bump” Roddey has pushed for a countywide mask mandate in public places, but so far, county officials have only agreed that masks should be recommended. Roddey has asked towns and cities inside York County to consider adopting something similar.
Roddey said the record number of cases reported in York County over the weekend show the danger of inaction.
“The numbers continue to show the pressing need for us to do something to change the course of this very deadly virus,” he said. “I empathize with the families having to go through this here in York County.”
Rock Hill City Council will hold a special meeting Monday morning to vote on the emergency ordinance that would require residents wear a face mask in public places within city limits, according to the meeting agenda.
If the city council were to pass a mask rule, Rock Hill would be the first municipality in York County to require people wear masks in public.
“I commend (Rock Hill) Mayor John Gettys and members of the Rock Hill City Council for looking at the numbers and the data as it relates to our area,” Roddey said. “Governor (Henry) McMaster has encouraged cities and counties to utilize ordinances to protect the public health and safety of their citizens, and Rock Hill is doing just that. I hope other cities within York County consider the same for its residents.”
Rock Hill City Council member Nikita Jackson, who led the push for a mask requirement in Rock Hill, said she hopes her peers on the council will pass the mask rule on Monday. Friday’s 100–plus new cases were alarming, she said.
“It is more evident than ever with the total positive cases doubling our all time high that actions are needed,” Jackson said. “The time is now.”
Lancaster County
Lancaster County added 44 new coronavirus cases over the weekend, and DHEC officials reported on Sunday that an additional person has died as a result of the virus.
The Lancaster County resident who died from the virus was elderly, DHEC officials said. Based on DHEC’s count, the county has had 13 confirmed coronavirus-related deaths, including nine people last month.
Lancaster County now has had a total of 543 confirmed cases, according to DHEC.
DHEC officials have reported 12 probable cases in Lancaster County, which would be someone who has not received lab test results, but has coronavirus symptoms or a positive antibody test, according to DHEC’s definition.
Chester County
Chester County added 14 new COVID-19 cases Friday, marking the county’s highest number of daily cases reported so far, according to DHEC.
The county reported five new cases both on Saturday and Sunday, and now has a total of 225 cases confirmed since the start of the pandemic, according to DHEC.
On Saturday, DHEC officials reported a second person in Chester County has died as a result of the virus. The Chester County resident who died from the virus was elderly, DHEC officials said.
Coronavirus testing
On Saturday, 8,831 tests were conducted statewide, with 16.6% having positive results, DHEC reported. Since March, labs across the state have completed 473,543 tests.
Hospitals across the state are at about 68% of capacity. Of the 7,296 beds in use across the state on Sunday, DHEC officials said 1,251 were occupied by coronavirus patients or those who are suspected of having COVID-19.
South Carolina first surpassed 1,000 beds on Monday.
Hospitals in York County are at 85% capacity, with 246 beds currently in use out of 288, according to DHEC. And Lancaster County hospitals are at about 39% capacity, with 58 beds currently in use out of 149.
Cases by ZIP code
As of Saturday night, there are cases in the following ZIP codes:
York County
▪ 29704 - 19
▪ 29708 - 184
▪ 29710 - 195
▪ 29715 - 183
▪ 29717 - 9
▪ 29730 - 342
▪ 29732 - 333
▪ 29745 - 166
Lancaster County
▪ 29058 - 17
▪ 29067 - 53
▪ 29707 - 104
▪ 29720 - 400
Chester County
▪ 29014 - 16
▪ 29055 - 48
▪ 29706 - 101
▪ 29712 - 14
▪ 29714 - 32
This story was originally published July 5, 2020 at 1:16 PM.
