SC reports 9 new coronavirus cases in Anderson, Greenville, Horry, Kershaw counties
Nine new cases of coronavirus were confirmed in South Carolina Sunday, with three more counties reporting positive tests.
That brings the total of confirmed cases of coronavirus in South Carolina to 28.
Cases have been confirmed in Anderson, Greenville and Horry counties for the first time since the outbreak began, a state Department of Health and Environmental Control official said at a news conference with Gov. Henry McMaster Sunday afternoon.
Of the nine new cases, there were three in Horry County, two in Anderson County, one in Greenville County, in addition to three new positive tests in Kershaw County, said Linda Bell, the state epidemiologist.
The new cases were reported after McMaster ordered all public schools in the state to be closed starting Monday. The schools will be closed for at least two weeks, affecting 780,000 students and approximately 55,000 teachers in South Carolina public schools.
One of the new cases in Kershaw County involved an employee of a childcare facility, Bell said. Bethesda Daycare had previously been closed and is not considered at risk, she said.
The person who tested positive for COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus, was not sick while working, and there are no known contacts at the childcare facility, DHEC said. An investigation is underway into the cause of exposure, and DHEC is providing guidance about infection control measures to prevent further possible spread.
“On Friday, March 13, the childcare center voluntarily closed as a precaution after the governor issued school closures for Kershaw and Lancaster counties. We are working closely with this childcare facility to immediately investigate possible exposures at this facility,” Bell said in a news release from DHEC. “The facility is completely cooperative and staff are abiding by DHEC’s and (the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s) recommended actions for helping to protect this population.”
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
What is coronavirus?
Coronavirus is an infection of the respiratory system similar to the flu. Coronaviruses are a class of viruses that regularly cause illnesses among adults and children, but this outbreak has spawned a new disease called COVID-19, a particularly harsh respiratory condition that can lead to death.
Health officials believe COVID-19 spread from animals to humans somewhere in China. It spreads among humans by physical person-to-person contact, including via coughs. That’s why health officials urge sick individuals to avoid contact with other people.
For more information, visit the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms are similar to the flu and include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
How can I stop the spread of the coronavirus?
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
If you develop symptoms similar to the coronavirus, you should seek medical attention. Stay home from work or school and avoid contact with others. It can take up to 14 days after coming into contact with the virus to develop symptoms.
COVID-19 is a new condition and there’s much about the disease we still don’t understand. For now, taking precautions is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
As of Sunday, there have been 263 tests performed in South Carolina, and 28 have come back positive, according to Bell.
On Saturday, DHEC announced six new cases of COVID-19, including the first reported case of the coronavirus in Lexington County.
A man who lived in a Lexington nursing home run by Lexington Medical Center was transferred to the hospital, according to DHEC. The man had “no known exposure to another case” and no travel history to an area where the virus is present, state health officials said.
That man is hospitalized and isolated, Bell said. No other patients at that Lexington nursing home are showing symptoms of COVID-19, DHEC said.
Bell said that officials are working closely with the Lexington nursing home “to immediately investigate possible exposures in an effort to mitigate any potential spread at this facility.” Bell said the nursing home has been “completely cooperative” in working with the DHEC, and that the facility is following the procedures recommended by the DHEC and the Centers for Disease Control to help “protect this higher-risk population.”
HORRY COUNTY
Of the three new cases in Horry County, two involve elderly individuals who were exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19 from another state, DHEC reported. The individuals are currently isolated at home.
The other case in Horry County also involves an elderly individual, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of exposure.
KERSHAW COUNTY
The two other confirmed cases in Kershaw County involve people who are household contacts to a previously reported case, DHEC said.
One case is an elderly individual who is hospitalized in isolation. The other case is a middle-aged individual who is currently isolated at home, DHEC reported.
According to state health officials, Kershaw County now has 14 cases — most of which are near Camden.
UPSTATE
Two cases are from Anderson County and are middle-aged individuals who have no identified source of exposure, according to DHEC. Both people are currently hospitalized in isolation.
In Greenville County, the person who tested positive is described by DHEC as a young adult who recently traveled to Spain. That individual is currently isolated at home.
“While we anticipate the number of cases in the U.S. and here at home to grow, the majority of people will likely not develop serious illness,” Bell said. “When you hear about the first cases, or growing cases, in your community, we encourage the public to maintain their daily routines with a focus on good hygiene, including routinely washing your hands and covering your mouth when you cough. Individuals with signs of illness are asked to take seriously the recommendation to stay home from school and work and not attend public gatherings.”
As of Sunday afternoon, 162,687 people worldwide have been diagnosed with coronavirus and 6,065 people have died, while 75,620 recovered, according to Johns Hopkins University. In the United States, 3,244 people have been diagnosed with the novel virus. In the U.S. 62 deaths have been reported, including 40 in Washington state, according to Johns Hopkins.
DHEC is encouraging people to practice “social distancing” to help stop the spread of the virus. Social distancing is staying away from unnecessary interactions with sick people and from large groups of people; it also calls for remaining at home unless it is absolutely necessary to go out.
Symptoms of coronavirus vary from mild to severe and include coughing, sneezing and shortness of breath, according to the CDC.
The best way to prevent infection is to wash hands for 20 seconds; avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth; avoid contact with sick people and clean frequently touched objects with a cleaning spray or wipe, according to the CDC.
It does not matter whether the water is hot or cold, Bell said.
Prisma Health is offering free access to medical professionals for those who think they may have coronavirus, The State reported. People experiencing COVID-19 symptoms can go to https://www.prismahealth.org/virtual-visit/ and schedule a free online visit, Prisma officials said. Free online screenings also can be accessed by going to scdhec.gov/COVID19.
The U.S. Surgeon General has urged members of the public to avoid buying protective masks because they are ineffective at preventing coronavirus, and buying them saps vital resources for health officials who need them.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREThis is a breaking news story
In a breaking news situation, facts can be unclear and the situation may still be developing. The State is trying to get important information to the public as quickly and accurately as possible. This story will be updated as more information becomes available, and some information in this story may change as the facts become clearer. Refresh this page later for more updated information.
This story was originally published March 15, 2020 at 4:50 PM with the headline "SC reports 9 new coronavirus cases in Anderson, Greenville, Horry, Kershaw counties."
