Coronavirus latest: York County records second highest day ever of COVID-19 cases.
York County had its second highest day ever for COVID-19 positive tests Thursday, health department data shows.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control released new numbers that show 66 new coronavirus cases in York County. Lancaster County added 13 cases. Chester County had six.
The only day York County had more reported cases was July 3, when the count spiked to 104.
Statewide there were 1,723 new cases and a probable case, with 22 deaths reported. Those figures bring state totals since the pandemic began to 50,548 confirmed and 143 probable cases, with 897 confirmed and seven probable deaths.
Thursday was South Carolina’s third highest single-day case count.
York County Councilman William “Bump” Roddey said the huge number of new daily cases, plus the statewide increases in infection that puts South Carolina among the fastest growing coronavirus rates in the world, shows the need for a countywide mask requirement.
“We need all the municipalities, and the county, to have this requirement,” Roddey said. “Cases are through the roof across the state. If South Carolina were a country, our rate of infection would be third-highest in the world. A mask requirement is good health and safety policy in all areas of York County. The virus does not stop or start at the city limits of Rock Hill.”
Rock Hill and Fort Mill have passed mask mandates. York and Clover are set to vote on requirements July 13.
York County Council Chairman Michael Johnson said late Thursday the agenda for his council’s July 20 meeting will include an “up or down” vote on a mask mandate. It will include votes on alternatives to a mandate.
Options could include county purchase of signs for businesses or free public masks, Johnson said.
“We will have on the agenda a vote for mandatory masks,” Johnson said. “But we also will have discussion and votes on other alternatives to mandatory masks that could help with safety.”
Roddey said a countywide mask mandate would make all areas follow essentially the same rules.
“There is a misconception that we who want a mask requirement want it everywhere,” Roddey said. “This would be for inside businesses and stores, and would protect the store employees and customers. It would be good business and good safety.”
York City Council member Steve Love, who led the push in York to enact a mask mandate that will be voted on July 13, said a countywide mask requirement would be beneficial to all residents.
Positive cases by zip code
Cases by zip code continue to show the strongest activity in 29720 in Lancaster County. There have been 426 confirmed cases there. The 29730 and 29732 zip codes in York County have 388 and 381 cases, respectively.
The health department also releases estimated cases by zip code. Those larger figures show the potential reach of COVID-19 in communities based on spread from the confirmed cases. The 29720 zip code now has 2,617 estimated cases, again highest among York, Lancaster and Chester counties zip codes.
Coronavirus test data
A total of 507,870 tests have been administered in South Carolina as of Wednesday. The state public health laboratory is operating on extended hours. Healthcare providers get results from that lab in 24-48 hours, though recent testing increases could delay some results one or two days.
Of tests with results that came in Wednesday, more than 20% came back positive.
As of Thursday morning there are 2,648 availiable inpatient hospital beds in the state, per DHEC. There are 8,058 in use, or more than 75% utilization. There are 1,433 beds occupied by patients who either tested positive or are under test for COVID-19.
COVID-19 test sites, events
South Carolina has 245 hospital, emergency, curbside, special event and other COVID-19 testing sites statewide. Almost 100 test sites are mobile.
Upcoming free mobile testing clinics include events at: Clinton Chapel AME Zion Church in York County, July 10; First Baptist Church in Lancaster, July 15; Lancaster Community Center, July 17; Chester High School, Lancaster Health Department, and the Kenneth Moore Transformation Center in York County, July 21; Town of Heath Springs, July 22 ; and Steele Hill AME Zion Church in Lancaster, July 24.
COVID-19 demographics
The average age of someone who receives a positive test in South Carolina is 41. The age decade with the most reported cases is 21-30, followed by 31-40., according to DHEC. Children 10 and younger make up 4% of reported cases. Age 70 and older accounts for 10% of cases.
White residents account for 46% of cases compared to Black residents at 32%. Another 20% of cases are listed as unknown or other.
More than half of caes, 55% are listed as non-Hispanic compared to 12% Hispanic and 33% unknown.
Women account for more than 52% of cases. Men make up 44%, with more than 3% unknown.
Of all cases, 88% of people were not hospitalized at the reported time of illness.
Rock Hill mandate begins
A mask mandate begins Friday in Rock Hill. Rock Hill police issued a statement noting attempts will be made to educate people who aren’t wearing masks in public places, rather than issue fines. Rules will allow for fines of $25 to $100 for people who don’t wear masks in retail stores, restaurants and other public places listed under the new Rock Hill mask rule.
Unemployment data
State unemployment data released Thursday shows a similar dip in South Carolina, York County, Lancaster County and Chester County job loss figures. All three counties recorded their lowest weekly unemployment claim filings since the coronavirus surge started mid-March.
York County had 509 claims for the week ending July 4. Lancaster County had 190 claims and Chester County had 98 claims.
The 34,408 total tri-county claims since mid-March include 23,028 in York County, 7,465 in Lancaster County and 3,915 in Chester County.
This story was originally published July 9, 2020 at 4:36 PM.
