Coronavirus update: Fewer than 20 cases added in York County but deaths climb
Two more York County residents died after contracting the coronavirus, health officials announced Wednesday.
Both of the residents were 65 or older, and one died in mid-August, while the other died Monday, according to information released by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.
The number of coronavirus cases in the county also went up, with an additional 19 reported Wednesday.
York County’s total case count now sits at 4,852, according to DHEC data. The county also has had 61 deaths since the pandemic started in mid-March.
Cases in Lancaster County went up by seven Wednesday, and in Chester County, two cases were reported, according to DHEC.
Lancaster County has now tallied 1,903 COVID-19 cases and 42 deaths, according to DHEC data.
In Chester County, there’s been 981 cases and 18 deaths, according to DHEC.
Across South Carolina, 489 cases were reported Wednesday. Since mid-March, there’s been 131,428 cases statewide and 2,968 deaths.
Of the 3,635 tests completed Tuesday across the state, 13.5% came back positive, according to DHEC data.
What’s new?
York County
York County has a “moderate” incidence rate, based on DHEC’s definition. The two-week cumulative incidence rate represents new cases reported in the last two weeks per 100,000 people.
In the county, officials have administered 47,186 COVID-19 tests since March, with 13.9% coming back positive, according to DHEC data. The county’s weekly average of percentage positive — which indicates how widespread the virus is — has fallen since it hit a high in mid-July.
For the week ending on July 18, on average, about 22.6% of all tests were positive. For the week ending Sept. 15, the total was at 14.3%.
The 29730 ZIP code, which includes Rock Hill and extends to the Lesslie community, has the most coronavirus cases in York County with 1,206. The next highest ZIP code is 29732, which covers the Newport and India Hook areas, with 1,137 cases.
Lancaster County
Lancaster County has a “moderately high” incidence rate, based on DHEC’s definition.
In Lancaster County, health officials administered more than 17,264 COVID-19 tests since March, with 14.8% coming back positive, according to DHEC data. The county’s weekly average of percentage positive has been on the rise since mid-July.
For the week ending on July 18, on average, about 13.8% of all tests were positive. For the week ending Sept. 15, the total was at 20.5%.
The 29720 ZIP code, which covers the city of Lancaster, has the most coronavirus cases in Lancaster County with 1,358.
Chester County
Chester County has a “high” incidence rate, based on DHEC’s definition.
In Chester County, health officials administered more than 7,707 COVID-19 tests since March, with 17.3% coming back positive, according to DHEC data. The county’s weekly average of percentage positive has dropped slightly since mid-July.
For the week ending on July 18, on average, about 26.8% of all tests were positive. For the week ending Sept. 15, the total was at 19.1%.
The 29706 ZIP code, which covers the city of Chester, has the most coronavirus cases in Chester County with 626. That means about 63% of the county’s cases are in that ZIP code.
Chester continues to require masks
The City of Chester unanimously voted Monday night to extend its mask mandate, Council member Carlos Williams confirmed. The mandate, set to expire September 16, will now be extended for 60 days.
This means that within the City of Chester, face coverings are required in public, unless the person falls under an exemption.
The ordinance mandates that violators can be fined up to $500 and face jail time up to 30 days.
Individuals who cannot wear a mask due to medical reasons, a mental health condition, a developmental condition or the inability to remove the mask on their own are exempt, according to a letter distributed by City Administrator Stephanie Jackson.
