COVID-19: Another death; school and court mask mandates for York, Lancaster, Chester.
Another Chester County resident died from COVID-19 and 79 more confirmed or probable cases came in York, Lancaster and Chester counties, per the state health department.
On Friday the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control announced new data. The state has 1,346 confirmed and 15 probable new cases of coronavirus. There are 45 new deaths statewide. Since the pandemic began in March, the state has more than 89,000 confirmed or probable cases and more than 1,700 confirmed or probable deaths.
The new daily data out Friday includes 53 confirmed and one probable coronavirus cases in York County. Lancaster County has 13 confirmed and three probable. Chester County has nine confirmed cases in addition to the death there.
The elderly Chester County resident died July 29. Chester County now has 11 confirmed or probable deaths. York County has 27 and Lancaster County 21 such deaths.
Statewide there was one new case announced of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children, a complication associated with COVID-19. That case involved an upstate area child between age 10 and 17, per the state. There have now been six MIS-C cases statewide.
Statewide there now have been more than 755,000 COVID-19 tests administered.
Mobile, on-site testing
The state has 143 mobile testing events scheduled through Sept. 29 to serve rural or other underserved areas. There are 215 permanent test sites.
State Sen. Wes Climer posted on Facebook Friday that the York County Legislative Delegation and Medical University of South Carolina will partner for a free, drive-up test event at Oakridge Middle School in Lake Wylie on Aug. 4. That event runs 9 a.m. to noon.
“As COVID continues to spread throughout South Carolina, we know that increasing testing is a critical tool to control the spread of the disease,” Climer posted. “If you are experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms or have been in contact with someone who is, please take advantage of this opportunity to get a free test from the comfort of your vehicle.”
Cases by ZIP code
As of Thursday night, there are cases in the following ZIP codes:
York County
▪ 29704 - 48
▪ 29708 - 326
▪ 29710 - 350
▪ 29715 - 373
▪ 29717 - 11
▪ 29730 - 754
▪ 29732 - 742
▪ 29745 - 338
Lancaster County
▪ 29058 - 41
▪ 29067 - 94
▪ 29707 - 202
▪ 29720 - 701
Chester County
▪ 29014 - 31
▪ 29055 - 91
▪ 29706 - 308
▪ 29712 - 21
▪ 29714 - 42
School mask requirement
State education superintendent Molly Spearman announced Friday that masks or face coverings now will be required for students and staff in public schools this fall. The announcement came with the approval of return plans for 36 more districts. The state now has 67 districts with approved return plans in place.
“As we prepare to welcome students and teachers back to South Carolina classrooms for face to face instruction, it is imperative that we implement measures that are proven to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus,” Spearman said in a release Friday. “Requiring the use of face masks for everyone in our school buildings in combination with other mitigation tactics will help ensure that we have safe learning environments even when optimal social distancing is not feasible.”
Schools in Fort Mill, Rock Hill, Clover, York and Lancaster County all have their return plans approved. Only Chester County awaits approval from the education department, among tri-county public school districts.
Court mask mandate
An order issued by the state supreme court Thursday requires all employees and visitors to a South Carolina court to wear a mask or face covering inside the building. Temperature checks will be required, too. The rules took effect Friday.
York County sites impacted include the county courthouse and Moss Justice Center, family court in Rock Hill and magistrate offices in Rock Hill, York and Fort Mill, along with municipal courts.
Hospital beds
South Carolina has 1,447 total ICU hospital beds. More than 78% of them are in use now, per the health department, with 309 beds available.
There are 1,516 COVID-19 patients hospitalized, with 373 of them in ICU. There are 237 such patients on ventilators.
This story was originally published July 31, 2020 at 4:29 PM.
