South Carolina: Covid-19 cases - 124,289 cases; 2,877 deaths

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.wyff4.com/article/dhec-i...s-say/31266492

DHEC investigates two possible cases of coronavirus in South Carolina, officials say
Cases are in Kershaw and Charleston counties
WYFF 4 Updated: 8:28 PM EST Mar 6, 2020
Grant Garland

Columbia, S.C. —

Health officials are investigating two possible cases of the COVID-19 virus in South Carolina, the state's Department of Health and Environmental Control announced Friday.

Latest from DHEC | CDC website

Officials said the presumptive positive cases are not linked. One case is in Kershaw County and the other is in Charleston County.

According to authorities, one patient is an elderly adult woman from Kershaw County who has been hospitalized and is in isolation. The second patient is an adult woman from Charleston County who recently traveled to France and Italy. She did not require hospitalization and is self-isolated at home, DHEC officials said. ..

[Ronan Kelly]

DHEC Investigating Two Possible Cases of 2019 Novel Coronavirus in South Carolina
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Today the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) announced it is investigating two possible cases of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus. The presumptive positive cases are not linked. One case is located in Kershaw County and one case is located in Charleston County.

Preliminary Information

One patient is an elderly adult female from Kershaw County who has been hospitalized and is in isolation.
A second patient is an adult female from Charleston County who recently traveled to France and Italy. The patient did not require hospitalization and is self-isolated at home.
“We understand that residents have concerns about how the virus may impact South Carolinians,” said Dr. Linda Bell, State Epidemiologist. “While the risk to the public remains low, there is no evidence of ongoing transmission in the community at this time and our primary goals remain prevention and control.”

The samples submitted tested positive at DHEC’s Public Health Laboratory. These results are required to be confirmed by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) laboratory and are in the process of being submitted for this confirmatory testing. DHEC will update the public as soon as the test results from the CDC are available, which typically takes 24 to 48 hours after the specimens are received. At this time, DHEC has tested a total of 10 individuals for COVID-19, including the two presumptive positives today. The remaining tests are negative. DHEC has the ability to test 80 to 100 patients per day.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more serious diseases such as pneumonia. DHEC is working with CDC to identify all those who might have been in contact with these individuals. These people will be monitored for fever and respiratory symptoms.

“No additional precautions are recommended for the public at this time, beyond the simple daily precautions that everyone should always take steps to stop the spread of illness, including getting the flu vaccine, washing your hands, covering your cough, and appropriately disposing tissues and other items contaminated with respiratory droplets,” said Dr. Bell.

As the state’s lead for public health, DHEC is taking proactive steps to be prepared to protect the health of South Carolina’s communities, including informing healthcare providers throughout the state of recommendations for testing, the availability for testing and the appropriate precautions for the general public.

“We have developed strong relationships with health providers through the years,” said Dr. Bell. “Together, we have planned, prepared, and tested our ability to respond to public health events like this.”

For general questions about COVID-19 residents should visit the DHEC website at scdhec.gov/COVID19 or the CDC website here.

For residents concerned about their own personal health or are showing symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath, please call your personal doctor or healthcare provider. DHEC has launched its Care Line. If residents have general questions about COVID-19, the DHEC Care Line is here to help. Call 1-855-472-3432. Staff are answering calls from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call volume has been high. Callers are urged to be patient if they receive a busy signal and try their call at a later time.

https://www.scdhec.gov/news-releases/dhec-investigating-two-possible-cases-2019-novel-coronavirus-south-carolina

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.wltx.com/article/news/he...6-fe5465a37334

Richland County hospital confirms presumptive COVID-19 patient
According to Primsa Health Richland, she is in a 'special isolation room' that keeps team members and community members safe.
Author: WLTX
Published: 5:02 PM EST March 7, 2020
Updated: 5:11 PM EST March 7, 2020

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Prisma Health Richland has confirmed they are caring for a Kershaw County patient with presumptive positive novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

The patient, a woman from Kershaw County that is in her 80s,has been transferred to Prisma Health Richland Hospital in Columbia...

[Pathfinder]

DHEC Investigating Additional Possible Cases of 2019 Novel Coronavirus in South Carolina

New indication of community spread in Camden, SC

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is investigating additional cases of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus. As of this afternoon, four presumptive positive cases were identified after testing for COVID-19 was completed at DHEC’s Public Health Laboratory. These are in addition to the two presumptive positive cases the agency announced on March 6. That brings the total number of presumptive positive cases to six.

New preliminary Information

• Two of these four new cases are direct contacts (meaning close face-to-face contact) with the Camden elderly woman who was announced as a presumptive positive on March 6. One of these two individuals is a woman who has hospitalized for reasons unrelated to COVID-19 and is isolated at this time. The other individual, an elderly man, was temporarily admitted to a healthcare facility, was discharged, and is currently isolated at home.
• The third new case is a man from Camden with no known connection, at this time, to the other presumptive positive cases from Camden. He was evaluated at a healthcare facility, was not hospitalized and is currently isolated at home.
• The fourth new case is man from Spartanburg County with no known connection, at this time, to any of the other presumptive positive cases. He is not hospitalized and is currently isolated at home. He had recently traveled to Italy.

Updated Information

• The elderly female from Camden was transferred to a health care facility in the Midlands on March 6 to receive a higher level of care. She remains isolated.
• The woman from Charleston County is symptom-free and continuing to self-monitor.

“Presumptive positive” means samples from these individuals tested positive for COVID-19 at DHEC’s Public Health Laboratory, however, these results are required to be confirmed by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It takes 24-48 hours for the CDC to confirm samples after they’re received.

“We now have evidence of community spread that’s likely to be causing these initial cases in Camden in Kershaw County and the risk of spread to other communities is possible, as seen in other states across the country,” said Dr. Linda Bell, State Epidemiologist. “We are working with the CDC and state and local officials to limit community spread while continuing with our protocol for identifying travel-related cases in the state.”

In line with CDC guidance, the department does not recommend closing schools or canceling public events at this time. DHEC will monitor absentee rates in schools and businesses as well as reports of illness in the community to determine if or when closures may be recommended. DHEC also is providing updated recommendations to schools and day care facilities, colleges and universities, and organizers of large events. That updated information is publicly available at scdhec.gov/COVID19. DHEC continues to be in communication with state agencies and community partners.

As of this afternoon, DHEC has tested a total of 18 individuals for COVID-19, which includes the six presumptive positives. The remaining tests are negative. DHEC will update the public as soon as the confirmatory test results from the CDC are available, and as other new information is known.

“We understand residents will have concerns about this new indication of community spread, however, I urge the public to remain calm and follow recommendations to prevent the spread of illness. Public health events like this one are not new to South Carolina,” Bell said. “As a state, we have responded to Zika, the H1N1 influenza pandemic, SARS, and others – including seasonal flu outbreaks, and our medical consultants conduct more than 700 disease investigations each year for a variety of illnesses. We have trained, prepared, and put systems in place to ensure that we are prepared and ready to respond to this and other events.”

At this time, precautions are recommended to maintain daily routines of protecting against illness by practicing good hygiene, washing your hands, covering your cough. Individuals with signs of illness should stay home from school and work and not attend public gatherings.

Residents who are showing symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath should call their personal doctor or healthcare provider. If an individual doesn’t have a primary care physician, MUSC Health is providing free telehealth screening to all South Carolinians. Anyone experiencing symptoms can visit MUSC.care and use the promo code COVID19 and be screened without having to leave your home.

The DHEC Care Line is available to provide general information about COVID-19 by calling 1-855-472-3432 from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. seven days a week. The Care Line hours are extended to 9 p.m. tonight. Because call volume has been high, callers are urged to be patient if they receive a busy signal and try their call at a later time. For general questions about COVID-19, visit the DHEC website at scdhec.gov/COVID19 or the CDC website here.

https://www.scdhec.gov/news-releases/dhec-investigating-additional-possible-cases-2019-novel-coronavirus-south-carolina

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.wsav.com/crime-safety/dh...outh-carolina/

DHEC investigating seventh possible case of COVID-19 in South Carolina
by: WSAV Staff
Posted: Mar 9, 2020 / 05:46 PM EDT / Updated: Mar 9, 2020 / 05:46 PM EDT

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSAV) – The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is investigating a seventh possible case of COVID-19, the agency announced today.

DHEC says a Camden man tested presumptive positive for the coronavirus on Sunday. He was not hospitalized and is currently isolated at home. The agency says the man had direct contact with a previously announced presumptive positive case.

Governor Henry McMaster held a press conference Monday afternoon to discuss COVID-19 in the state...

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.fox46charlotte.com/news/...n-lancaster-co

...The Department of Health and Environmental Control released preliminary information indicating that the newest case is a woman from Lancaster County who tested positive at DHEC's Public Health Laboratory. There is no known travel outside of the state of contact with another case at this time.

The woman is currently hospitalized in isolation and DHEC is working to prevent any possible spread...

...This latest case brings the total number of presumptively positive cases in South Carolina to 8, along with two confirmed cases.

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.islandpacket.com/news/lo...241136526.html

South Carolina cases rise to 12; Beaufort hospital staff isolates and events cancel
By The Island Packet / Beaufort Gazette staff
March 12, 2020 05:57 PM

Four Beaufort Memorial Hospital employees were in isolation Thursday, and Hilton Head Island canceled its St. Patrick’s Day festivities as the novel coronavirus continues to spread throughout the country and state.

As of Thursday afternoon, there were 12 cases of coronavirus reported in South Carolina by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control. Six of the 12 have been confirmed.

The other six have tested positive for coronavirus but are awaiting confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Local news has never been more important

One of the two new cases is in Lancaster County, and the other is in Kershaw, the state reported...

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.scdhec.gov/news-releases...south-carolina DHEC Announces Additional Six Cases of 2019 Novel Coronavirus in South Carolina

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 14, 2020

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is investigating six additional cases of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus. This brings the total number of cases statewide to 19.
As the state’s case counts expectedly increase, DHEC will publicly report information about facilities and locations that impacted communities should be aware of where special precautions may be needed.
“We emphasize the importance of practicing disease prevention measures and following recommendations for social distancing to protect our community as a whole,” said Dr. Linda Bell, State Epidemiologist.
Preliminary information for new cases

• Three new cases are from Beaufort County. Two cases are close contacts of each other and had known exposure to a confirmed case of COVID-19 from another state. The other case has no know connection to any other case and recently traveled internationally. All three cases are currently isolated at home.
• Two new cases are from Kershaw County who have no identified source of exposure. Both are currently hospitalized and isolated.
• One new case is from Lexington County who is currently hospitalized and isolated. This individual has no known exposure to another case and no recent travel history to an impacted area.

Impacted facilities

• The Lexington County case was a resident of Lexington Medical Center Extended Care Skilled Nursing Facility. The source of this patient’s exposure is being investigated. DHEC is working with the facility to identify all contacts and is providing guidance about infection control measures to prevent spread.

“We are working closely with this extended care facility to immediately investigate possible exposures in an effort to mitigate any potential spread at this facility,” said Dr. Bell. “The facility is completely cooperative as we work through our contact investigation and staff are abiding by DHEC’s and CDC’s recommended actions for helping to protect this higher-risk population.”
Yesterday, in conjunction with Governor McMaster’s state of emergency declaration, DHEC immediately began restricting visitation to nursing homes and assisted living facilities, with the exception of end-of-life situations, to help better safeguard this vulnerable population against COVID-19.
“Our top priorities remain preventing the spread of the disease and protecting the public health,” Bell said. “This includes working to control spread and measures that best protect all individuals. We encourage the public to maintain their daily routines of protecting against illness by practicing good hygiene and handwashing, and individuals with signs of illness are asked to take seriously the recommendation to stay home from school and work and not attend public gatherings.”
People with symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath should call their healthcare provider. If an individual doesn’t have a primary care physician, several healthcare systems are providing telehealth services so residents may be evaluated by a healthcare provider without having to leave their homes. If it’s determined an individual should be tested, they will be instructed where to go to be tested. Individuals with minor illness are advised not to go to emergency departments.
Learn more about the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services's guidance for infection control in healthcare facilities here. For more information about COVID-19, visit scdhec.gov/COVID19 or the CDC website here.
###

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.scdhec.gov/news-releases...south-carolina
DHEC Announces Additional Nine Cases of 2019 Novel Coronavirus in South Carolina

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 15, 2020

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is investigating nine additional cases of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus. This brings the total number of cases statewide to 28.
As the state’s case counts expectedly increase, DHEC will publicly report information about facilities and locations that impacted communities should be aware of where special precautions may be needed.
“We emphasize the importance of practicing disease prevention measures and following recommendations for social distancing to protect our community as a whole,” said Dr. Linda Bell, State Epidemiologist.
Preliminary information for new cases
3 new cases reported from commercial labs

• One new case is from Kershaw County. The case is a middle-aged daycare worker who has no identified source of exposure. This individual’s onset of illness occurred after their last day worked. The case is currently isolated at home.
• Two new cases are from Horry County. The cases are elderly individuals who had known exposure to a confirmed case of COVID-19 from another state. The cases are currently isolated at home.

6 new cases from DHEC’s Public Health Laboratory

• Two new cases are from Kershaw County and are household contacts to a previously reported case. One case is an elderly individual who is hospitalized in isolation. The other case is a middle-aged individual and is currently isolated at home.
• One new case is from Horry County and is an elderly individual. Investigation is underway and further details are not currently available.
• Two cases are from Anderson County and are middle-aged individuals who have no identified source of exposure. Both cases are currently hospitalized in isolation.
• One case is from Greenville County and is a young adult who recently traveled to Spain. The case is currently isolated at home.

Impacted facilities

• One of the additional Kershaw County cases was a childcare worker of Bethesda Daycare. The individual was not ill while working and there are no known contacts at the childcare facility at this time. The source of this case’s exposure is being investigated. DHEC is working with the center to provide guidance about infection control measures to prevent spread. However, the center was following the governor’s closure of schools in Kershaw and Lancaster counties and is not currently open.

“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,” said Dr. Bell. “The facility is completely cooperative and staff are abiding by DHEC’s and CDC’s recommended actions for helping to protect this population.”
People with symptoms such as fever, cough and shortness of breath should call their healthcare provider. If an individual doesn’t have a primary care physician, several healthcare systems are providing telehealth services so residents may be evaluated by a healthcare provider without having to leave their homes. If it’s determined an individual should be tested, they will be instructed where to go to be tested. Individuals with minor illness are advised not to go to emergency departments.
“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.”
Learn more about the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidance for infection control in schools and childcare programs here. For more information about COVID-19, visit the DHEC website at scdhec.gov/COVID19 or the CDC website here.

[Ronan Kelly]

Elderly Person From Lexington County Is First Coronavirus Death In South CarolinaPublished 28 mins ago on March 16, 2020By Mandy Matney
FBTwEmailPrint
An elderly person from Lexington County is South Carolina’s first person to die from COVID-19, the South Carolina Department Department of Health and Environmental Services (SCDHEC) reported Monday.

The person was from Lexington County and was a resident of Lexington Medical Center Extended Care Skilled Nursing Facility, DHEC said.

“Our state health officials continue to work with national and local partners to respond to this ongoing public health matter.” Brannon Traxler, SDHEC physician consultant, said in a news release.
...
https://www.fitsnews.com/2020/03/16/...onavirus-death

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.scdhec.gov/news-releases...south-carolina


DHEC Announces Additional Five Cases of 2019 Novel Coronavirus in South Carolina



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 16, 2020


COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is investigating five additional cases of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus. This brings the total number of cases statewide to 33.
As the state’s case counts expectedly increase, DHEC will publicly report information about facilities and locations that impacted communities should be aware of where special precautions may be needed.
“We emphasize the importance of practicing disease prevention measures and following recommendations for social distancing to protect our community as a whole,” said Dr. Brannon Traxler, DHEC physician consultant.
Preliminary information for new cases

• One new case is from Lexington County. The case is an elderly person who was a close contact to a previously reported case. This person remains in isolation at a healthcare facility.
• Four new cases are from Kershaw County. Three of the cases are middle-aged individuals who are known contacts to a previously reported case and are currently isolated at home. One case is an elderly person. Investigation is underway and further details are not currently available.

Earlier today, the state of South Carolina reported the first death of an individual with COVID-19 infection...

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.scdhec.gov/news-releases...south-carolina


DHEC Announces Additional 14 Cases of 2019 Novel Coronavirus in South Carolina



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 17, 2020


COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is investigating 14 additional cases of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus. This brings the total number statewide to 47 cases in 13 counties.
“We emphasize the importance of practicing disease prevention measures and following recommendations for social distancing to protect our community as a whole,” said Dr. Brannon Traxler, DHEC physician consultant.
County location of new cases

• 1 new case from Beaufort County
• 2 new cases from Charleston County
• 1 new case from Calhoun County
• 5 new cases from Kershaw County
• 1 new case from Lexington County
• 1 new case from Richland County
• 1 new case from York County
• 1 new case from Greenville County
• 1 new case from Horry County

As the state’s number of positive cases expectedly increases, DHEC will continue to provide the number of positive cases and the county of residence. One case previously reported in Kershaw County has been corrected to a Fairfield County case. DHEC’s new COVID-19 county map provides the number of cases by county and is updated daily.
“We know that many South Carolinians are concerned about what impact this virus may have on themselves, their loved ones, and our state,” Traxler said. “This is a rapidly evolving public health event, and DHEC takes every new infectious disease seriously.”...

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.scdhec.gov/news-releases...south-carolina


DHEC Announces 13 Additional Cases of 2019 Novel Coronavirus in South Carolina



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 18, 2020


COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is investigating 13 additional cases of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus. This brings the total number statewide to 60 cases in 14 counties.
“We emphasize the importance of practicing disease prevention measures and following recommendations for social distancing to protect our community as a whole,” said Dr. Brannon Traxler, DHEC physician consultant.
County location of new cases

• 2 new cases from Beaufort County
• 1 new case from Charleston County
• 1 new case from Greenville County
• 1 new case from Horry County
• 3 new cases from Kershaw County
• 1 new case from Lee County
• 1 new case from Lexington County
• 3 new cases from Richland County

As the state’s number of positive cases expectedly increases, DHEC will continue to provide the number of positive cases and the county of residence. DHEC’s COVID-19 county map provides the number of cases by county and is updated daily.
“Our top priorities remain preventing the spread of the disease and protecting the public health,” Traxler said. “This includes working to control spread and sharing measures that best protect our neighbors, friends and family.”
Individuals with signs of illness are asked to stay at home and not attend public gatherings. DHEC encourages the public to follow recommendations for social distancing to protect the health and safety of all South Carolinians. This includes:

• washing your hands frequently,
• covering your cough,
• staying home when you’re sick and not attend public gatherings, and
• appropriately disposing tissues and other items that you've sneezed or coughed into.

Several South Carolina health systems are offering telehealth options to the public. For telehealth options and the latest information about DHEC’s COVID-19 response efforts, please visit scdhec.gov/COVID19. For more information about COVID-19, visit the CDC website here.
###

Tags

Media Relations Statewide

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.postandcourier.com/healt...ca0431b36.html

2 new cases of coronavirus reported, bringing SC total to 63 active cases
By Fleming Smith
Mar 19, 2020 Updated 1 min ago

A third patient at Roper St. Francis Healthcare has tested positive for the coronavirus, hospital officials said Wednesday. A hospital in Abbeville also reported a patient testing positive for the virus.

The patient at Roper St. Francis is stable and isolated, officials said. Employees who cared for the patient have been notified about the positive test...

[Rose]

South Carolina Covid19 Cases: 81
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 19, 2020

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is investigating 21 additional cases of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus. This brings the total number statewide to 81 cases in 17 counties.

“Our top priorities remain preventing the spread of the disease and protecting the public health. This includes working to control spread and sharing measures that best protect our family, friends and neighbors,” said Dr. Linda Bell, State Epidemiologist. “As cases increase, we also are prioritizing identifying close contacts who are at high risk of illness from exposure and who are more likely to have serious illness.”

New cases

• Abbeville County: 1 new case
• Anderson County: 1 new case
• Beaufort County: 1 new case
• Charleston County: 1 new case
• Dorchester County: 1 new case
• Greenville County: 4 new cases
• Horry County: 1 new case
• Kershaw County: 4 new cases
• Lancaster County: 1 new case
• Lexington County: 1 new case
• Richland County: 4 new cases
• Saluda County: 1 new case

As the state’s number of positive cases expectedly increases, DHEC will continue to provide the number of positive cases and the county of residence. DHEC’s COVID-19 county map provides the number of cases by county and is updated daily.

Individuals with signs of illness are asked to stay at home and not attend public gatherings. DHEC encourages the public to follow recommendations for social distancing to protect the health and safety of all South Carolinians. This includes:

• washing your hands frequently,
• covering your cough,
• staying home when you’re sick and not attend public gatherings, and
• appropriately disposing tissues and other items that you've sneezed or coughed into.

Several South Carolina health systems are offering telehealth options to the public. For telehealth options and the latest information about DHEC’s COVID-19 response efforts, please visit scdhec.gov/COVID19. For more information about COVID-19, visit the CDC website here.
Source: https://www.scdhec.gov/news-releases...south-carolina