| The Greenville News & Independent Mail
note: The coronavirus outbreak is a rapidly developing event and this story contains information that was only updated until March 30, 2020. Some of the information here may have changed due to the nature of the pandemic; updates are reflected in more current stories. For news about the coronavirus outbreak and its impact in South Carolina, visit greenvillenews.com or independentmail.com.
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South Carolina coronavirus map: An analysis of county by county in SC cases
Coronavirus news in Carolina del Sur by the lunes: Fall in house order in Greenville
Full coverage: Everything you need to know about coronavirus within the state
SC beaches, boat ramps closed in the last executive order
Governor Henry McMaster signed an executive order on Monday to close access to public beaches and boat ramps on lakes, rivers and canals.
The order includes access points to the public beach, public piers, docks, piers, boat ramps and anchorages that provide public access to public waters. In addition, beaching or rafting on boats is prohibited. Anchoring for fish is allowed. It does not apply to people with current commercial fishing licenses or permits.
McMaster, in a Twitter post on Monday night, said the request came after behavior observed over the weekend.
“This is unfortunate for those who have chosen to follow the instructions of our public health officials responsibly, but it is necessary action to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus,” said McMaster in a post on Twitter.
City of Seneca expands the closure of buildings
Public buildings in the city of Seneca will remain closed until April 15, according to a city hall statement.
The city’s entertainment events will be canceled until April 15, including Jazz on the Alley and Cruzin ‘on Main.
Essential city services will continue. No decision was made on the April 14 municipal council meeting.
‘The Rock’ on Keowee Lake closed
Fall Creek Landing # 2, known for its access to “rock”, an island popular with swimmers jumping on Lake Keowee, will temporarily close from Tuesday morning until further notice, according to the County Sheriff’s Office of Oconee.
Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw said there was a large crowd gathered in the area over the weekend, including many visitors from other states.
“Due to our strong incentive to practice social detachment and other guidelines issued by (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we believe that it is in the best interest of public security to close the fall. Creek Landing # 2, “said Crenshaw in a prepared statement.
Daytime use and camping facilities at other county parks – Chau Ram, High Falls and South Cove – are also closed until further notice. The boat ramp access points on Lake Keowee and Lake Hartwell maintained by the county are open to boat traffic, but no entry is permitted in the parks.
South Cove and High Falls County will limit boat launch times from 7 am to 8 pm, starting on Wednesday. Fishermen wishing to fish after 8 pm should use the South Cove boat ramp.
City of Greenville moves towards home stay law
The city of Greenville will move forward with its own state of emergency law. A draft is expected to be published on Monday.
The City Council will meet on Tuesday to vote on the decree, which will require by law that people keep a distance of two meters and close “personal service” establishments, such as barber shops and nail salons.
Read the full story here.
DHEC reports first COVID-related death in Anderson County, 151 new cases across the state
A 90-year-old man in Anderson County died of complications related to COVID-19. It is the first recorded death in the county since the pandemic began, state health officials said Monday afternoon. The total number of deaths across the state is 18.
Robert Williams became ill and went to the AnMed Health Medical Center on March 22, where he was first diagnosed with pneumonia. On Friday, the Williams family learned that he tested positive for COVID-19, but they are not sure how he contracted the disease. Williams, who had latent health problems, died on Monday morning.
Also on Monday, another death was reported in Beaufort County. This person was also elderly and had underlying health problems.
151 new cases of COVID-19 were reported on Monday. The total number of cases across the state is 925 in 41 counties, according to DHE.
On Monday, two new cases were reported in Anderson County and 17 new cases were reported in Greenville County.
DHEC officials said last week that there was an accumulation of 1,600 samples that needed to be tested. They hoped to release more results as the tests were completed over the weekend.
SC schools estimate to receive more than $ 264 million in coronavirus aid funds
South Carolina’s K-12 schools and higher education institutions are likely to receive more than $ 264 million from the federal coronavirus aid package, known as the CARES Act, according to the state Department of Education.
The law contains about $ 30.75 billion for national education in the form of an Education Stabilization Fund.
Ryan Brown, a spokesman for the state department of education, said in a statement that South Carolina is expected to receive $ 216.31 million exclusively for K-12 schools, which will be distributed across the state based on allocations. Title I. In addition, Governor Henry McMaster may allocate approximately $ 48.16 million of the bill to K-12 schools and higher education institutions at his discretion.
About $ 13.95 billion from the $ 30.75 billion fund will also go to finance higher education across the country, of which South Carolina will also receive a share, Brown said.
“We still don’t know how much each district will receive,” Brown said in the statement. “We hope to have this information in the near future.”
Deputy Joe Cunningham asks the SC governor to issue an order to stay at home
US Representative Joe Cunningham, a Democrat from Charleston, asked Governor Henry McMaster to issue an order to stay at home for the state.
Cunningham, who said last week he had COVID-19, posted a message on Twitter saying that cities were forced to weigh public health or expensive legal actions. The Attorney General’s Office last week issued an opinion stating that the governor could issue an order to stay at home, not individual cities and towns.
McMaster said South Carolina residents have followed orders so far and voluntarily practiced social detachment.
Photographers from local schools offer home portraits
Images Inc., a school photography company based in Travelers Rest, is offering to take portraits of students and families on customers’ balconies.
Owner Dave McMeekin said that at this time of year, his photographers would normally be busy going from school to school in the state to photograph spring portraits for students. But with schools closed and children learning at home, business stopped quickly.
“We went from prosperity to nothing,” he said.
McMeekin said he started offering home portraits on Monday as a way to ease the blow to his business.
The service will be offered mainly in the Greenville and Travelers Rest area, he said, and photographers will remain outside the residence and two meters away from customers.
Greenville County schools experiencing phone failures
A warning for parents who need to contact Greenville County Schools – the GCS phone system is experiencing intermittent interruptions, according to district spokesman Tim Waller.
In a statement, the district said that calls to the call center are receiving an “all lines are busy” message or no message. School phones are also in and out of service, according to Waller.
Spartanburg Regional says several employees tested positive for coronavirus
Spartanburg Regional says it is aware of several health doctors throughout the system who have tested positive for COVID-19, according to a health system statement.
The hospital’s system worked quickly to examine employees’ working hours and notify patients or coworkers who may have been in close contact, the note said.
“Federal privacy laws prohibit the Regional Spartanburg from disclosing information about an individual patient, including healthcare professionals,” said the statement. “The Spartanburg region is adhering to the criteria of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Health and Environmental Control of SC for isolation and testing, both in the care of our patients and in meeting the health needs of our staff.”