note: The coronavirus outbreak is a rapidly developing event and this story contains information that has only been updated through August 17, 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, independentmail.com. or goupstate.com.
Map of coronavirus SC: An analysis of COVID-19 cases by county and postal code
Pickens City Council passed the resolution calling for the use of a mask
Pickens City Council members unanimously approved a mask resolution, recommending, but not requiring, the use of a mask in the city.
The resolution recommends that people follow the guidelines for federal social distance, hand washing and facial coverage in government and retail buildings.
Mayor Fletcher Perry said it is a good way to help protect residents and was happy to see approval.
DHEC Announces Monday Case Numbers
On Monday, DHEC announced 451 new confirmed cases and 20 additional confirmed deaths, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 105,905 and confirmed deaths to 2,185.
The total number of individual test results reported to DHEC yesterday across the state was 3,930 (not including antibody tests) and the positive percentage was 11.5%.
Simpsonville celebrating National Lemonade Day with a cause
The Pearl at Five Forks, an elderly community in Phoenix, is running a community feeding campaign on Thursday, August 20 at 15 Five Forks Rd in Simpsonville. They are asking for help to increase the food supply through donations and distributing lemonade to those who donate.
Humana SC reached out to make a mass donation of food to the Center’s food pantry and masks and hand sanitizer to the Center’s volunteers, said Community Engagement Director Nancy Long.
Testing for off-campus Clemson students begins today
As part of Clemson University’s COVID-19 plan, off-campus students will take the test this week.
In conjunction with the Medical University of South Carolina, Clemson will provide off-campus students with a nasopharyngeal PCR test in the NewSpring car park Monday through Wednesday, according to a statement.
The university will also provide facial coverage to students outside of campus. Monday through Wednesday, students can pick them up at the Snow Family Outdoor Wellness and Fitness Complex from 11 am to 1:30 pm in drive-thru format, a statement said. Students must have their TigerOne ID cards to receive both facial covers.
Future off-campus mask removal dates are listed below (between 11 am and 1:30 pm):
- August 24-26
- August 31 – September 2
- September 7th to 9th
- September 14th to 16th
Clemson drop COVID-19 test, quarantine capacity remains unclear
Less than a week before classes begin – and as thousands of off-campus students return to their apartments – Clemson University said it has communicated much of its COVID-19 response plan, but questions remain about the test plans and what the fall semester for freshmen will look like.
The fall semester begins on August 19 with four weeks of online instruction only, before resuming partial face-to-face instruction on September 21.
And while Clemson’s plan to maintain face-to-face and virtual classes is “moderate risk”, his housing plan, which includes roommates and community bathrooms, is “high risk” according to the Control Center guidelines Diseases for colleges and universities.
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What to know Monday
- Across the interior of the state, weekly case averages have been dropping since mid-July. Greenville County’s 7-day average last week was about 45 new cases per day. A month ago, Greenville’s average was 136 new cases per day, according to a DHEC data analysis.
- Although the daily case count has been lower in recent weeks, test data has also declined, according to DHEC. On Saturday, about 4,800 tests were performed. A week ago, the daily test count ranged from 6,000 to 8,000 tests per day.
- The NCAA Division II conference, which includes North Greenville University and Erskine College, postponed autumn sports until spring, according to a statement released over the weekend.
- Clemson University has announced that it will keep the COVID-19 test data updated for the campus community available to the public online.
- The city of Greenville will host its fourth masks distribution event for local businesses on Wednesday, August 19, from 8 am to 12 pm, at the Greenville Convention Center.