Coronavirus cases in SC pass 1,000. Four additional deaths reported
South Carolina surpassed 1,000 coronavirus cases Tuesday after health officials announced 158 new cases.
Nearly all of the state has been touched by the potentially lethal virus with 1,083 cases now reported in 42 of the state’s 46 counties.
The state’s death toll continues to rise. Four additional people have died after contracting the coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 22, according to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control. Those patients were located in Aiken, Calhoun, Marion and York counties.
Three of the patients who died were elderly and had underlying health conditions. One was middle aged with no underlying health conditions — a stark reminder that everyone is at risk, said Linda Bell, state epidemiologist.
“In fact, anyone in any age group can die,” she cautioned during a Tuesday press conference. She and Gov. Henry McMaster renewed calls for residents to stay at home as much as possible and practice social distancing to slow the virus’ spread.
Also Tuesday:
Charleston County saw the largest increase of cases, with 19 new patients testing positive. It was followed by Greenville County with 18 cases.
In both Richland and Lexington counties, 13 new cases were identified.
Bamberg County saw its first case.
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DHEC officials projected last week that South Carolina will see more than 2,600 cases of COVID-19 by Thursday and more than 8,000 cases by May 2.
Monday, South Carolina saw its greatest single day increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases as DHEC officials worked to eliminate a testing backlog caused by a nationwide shortage of chemicals needed for testing.
Friday, DHEC officials announced they received a shipment of the chemicals. A second order was on its way, they added. Monday, DHEC officials said they had a two to three day supply of the chemical.
South Carolina health officials have been stocking up hospitals in anticipation of the continued spread of the coronavirus. Over the weekend, DHEC received its second shipment from a national stockpile of medical supplies and distributed masks, respirators, gloves and other equipment to counties across the state.
In the first shipment DHEC received, many items were expired, but health officials have said the equipment was still helpful.
DHEC officials said Tuesday that they expect to receive a third shipment.
As of Tuesday, Bell said that hospitals across the state are at 54% capacity. The CDC has said about 80% of those infected with the coronavirus will not require hospitalization.
S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster has also taken several steps to reduce the spread of coronavirus, including allowing police to break up groups of three or more, ordering restaurants to close dining rooms and closing access points to state beaches and waterways. Tuesday, McMaster went a step further, shuttering all nonessential businesses, including entertainment venues, tourist attractions, gyms, barber shops, hair salons and tattoo parlors. The order goes into effect Wednesday.
“This was the bare minimum that we think we can do in closures to have the largest impact,” said McMaster, who stopped short of issuing a statewide shelter in place order.
“I have great faith in the people of South Carolina,” McMaster said Tuesday, adding that 52% of state workers are working from home, traffic on the interstates is down and fewer plane flights are coming into the state.
“We’re making great progress,” he added.
New coronavirus cases announced Tuesday
Abbeville County: 1 case
Aiken County: 4 cases
Anderson County: 8 cases
Bamberg County: 2 cases
Beaufort County: 17 cases
Berkeley County: 1 case
Calhoun County: 1 case
Charleston County: 19 cases
Clarendon County: 7 cases
Dorchester County: 5 cases
Fairfield County: 1 case
Florence County: 4 cases
Georgetown County: 2 cases
Greenville County: 18 cases
Greenwood County: 2 cases
Horry County: 5 cases
Kershaw County: 6 cases
Lancaster County: 1 case
Lexington County: 13 cases
Oconee County: 1 case
Orangeburg County: 1 case
Pickens County: 1 case
Richland County: 13 cases
Spartanburg County: 7 cases
Sumter County: 5 cases
York County: 13 cases
