‘We are not stopping this thing’: York cases top 3,000, Chester sets new case record
Coronavirus cases in York County now have topped 3,000, South Carolina health officials announced.
The county added 54 new cases Thursday, according to the Department of Health and Environmental Control. In the last week, the county added 376 cases, and on four of those seven days, the county respectively reported more than 50 cases.
In May, York County added fewer than than 200 new coronavirus cases, according to official state numbers. In June, the county reported 792 new cases. So far, in July, the county has added 1,823 cases.
Across the state, DHEC identified 1,636 new cases Thursday, bringing the state’s total reported infections to 87,117. Officials also reported that an additional 48 South Carolinians have died as a result of the virus, bringing the state’s death toll to 1,600.
Lancaster County reported 18 new coronavirus cases Thursday, for a total of 984, according to DHEC. In May, the county recorded 63 new cases. In June, Lancaster County added 334 cases and so far in July, the county has added 531.
Chester County reported 23 new coronavirus cases Thursday, marking a new record for cases reported in a single day, according to DHEC. The county now has had 519 cases confirmed since the start of the pandemic, according to DHEC.
In May, Chester County recorded 53 new cases. In the last seven days, the county recorded 113 new cases, according to official state numbers.
Chester County Emergency Management Director Eddie Murphy said the high number of cases reported in recent days, coupled with the numerous deaths confirmed, has made him concerned that the pandemic is not under control in Chester County.
“I have concerns that we are not stopping this thing,” Murphy said. ”This situation is not improving in Chester County. People are not following the recommended guidelines for masks and social distancing.”
In July, Chester County reported eight coronavirus-related deaths. From the beginning of March to the end of June, Chester County had two confirmed coronavirus-related deaths. Those deaths included a child less than five-years-old, middle-aged and elderly individuals, according to DHEC.
“This disease has been getting people of all ages,” Murphy said.
Chester County does not have a mask requirement, however the city of Chester, with an area of just over three square miles, has a mask mandate.
Murphy said the use of masks in public, along with proper social distancing and limiting exposure to others, is crucial.
“If everybody takes extra precautions, we can change it,” Murphy said.
Testing and hospitalizations
The percentage of tests that come back positive — another indicator of the coronavirus’ spread — has been rising over the last month, according to DHEC officials.
On Wednesday, 7,600 tests were conducted statewide, with about 22% having positive results, DHEC reported. In May, at its lowest point, the percentage of positive tests ranged from 2% to 4% on average.
Since March, labs across the state have completed 745,198 tests.
Of the 1,167 intensive care unit beds in use across the state on Wednesday 389 were occupied by coronavirus patients or those who are suspected of having COVID-19. That means that about 33% of ICU beds in use are being filled by likely COVID-19 patients.
Of those patients, 245 were on ventilators, according to DHEC.
Hospitals in York County are at 65% capacity, with 232 of the 348 beds currently in use, according to DHEC. And Lancaster County hospitals are at about 66% capacity, with 68 of 103 beds currently in use.
Where to get tested in the area
On the first Friday of each month, Affinity Health Center will have free curbside testing at First Baptist Church in Clover, starting Aug. 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to a release from the health center.
Affinity will continue free curbside testing on the third Friday of each month at Clinton Chapel AME Zion Church in York from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
There will be free testing in Chester County on Aug. 8 from 8 a.m. to noon outside the Chester County Government Center, 1476 J.A. Cochran Bypass. The testing is free and does not require an appointment or insurance, Chester City Council member Angela Douglas said.
Cases by ZIP code
As of Wednesday night, there are cases in the following ZIP codes:
York County
▪ 29704 - 47
▪ 29708 - 322
▪ 29710 - 347
▪ 29715 - 363
▪ 29717 - 11
▪ 29730 - 741
▪ 29732 - 728
▪ 29745 - 336
Lancaster County
▪ 29058 - 41
▪ 29067 - 93
▪ 29707 - 197
▪ 29720 - 696
Chester County
▪ 29014 - 31
▪ 29055 - 90
▪ 29706 - 301
▪ 29712 - 20
▪ 29714 - 42
