For weeks, the new coronavirus seemed like a distant threat, a frightening but extensive threat that terrified remote locations in countries thousands of miles away.
But in less than 30 days, we moved from our first infected person in South Carolina to more than 1,000 cases in 42 counties, with 22 lives lost along the way.
It all seemed unthinkable on January 8, when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned of a new outbreak of infectious disease in Wuhan, China. When limited scans began at three major US airports nine days later, the CDC said the risk of this new coronavirus “for the American public is currently considered low.”
The CDC maintained this assessment when the first case of coronavirus arrived on the shores of the United States on January 21, nationwide, in the state of Washington. And it happened again when six more cases emerged at the end of the month.
As cases around the world approached 80,000 at the end of February, President Donald Trump told the nation that COVID-19 in the United States was “under control”. He downplayed the virus again during a rally in North Charleston on February 28, telling the crowd that Democrats “tried to impeach the fraud. And this is the new scam. “
The next day, the United States recorded its first death from the virus.
When March started in South Carolina, many did not know how the virus would affect our state. Would people get sick or was it just a bunch of propaganda?
In a matter of days, the answer would become clear, as this once-distant threat became ours and altered the rhythms of life as we knew it. Our perceptions of the virus changed rapidly over a tight schedule that worked like this:
March 5: no confirmed cases in South Carolina
Amid growing concerns about the coronavirus, South Carolina lawmakers ask epidemiologist Linda Bell if we are prepared for the disease. Health officials said 49 people are being monitored for the highly contagious virus.
“It is likely that we will finally identify one or more cases in South Carolina. This does not mean immediately switching to panic mode, because a single case in one state does not pose a risk to the entire population,” says Bell.
March 6: 2 cases
Health officials announced that two people had tested positive for the virus: an elderly woman from Kershaw County and a staff member from the Medical University of South Carolina who recently returned from a trip to Italy and France.
March 9: 7 cases
With two cases of the virus confirmed by the CDC and five more people with a positive test, epidemiologist Bell recommends that any sick person stay at home and avoid others until they can get tested. The authorities emphasize proper hygiene, but encourage people to live normally.
“There is no reason for public alarm or speculation,” says Governor Henry McMaster. “Southern Carolinians must continue with their normal daily routines and responsibilities.”
Richland District One announces that five students are quarantined after having indirect contact with someone who tested positive for the coronavirus. State health director Rick Toomey says his agency was not consulted and “it was not a necessary measure at this time”.
March 10: 9 cases
Bell tweeted about the coronavirus: “There is no reason to change our routine activities. There is no reason, at this time, to cancel any public events or take any special measures, when there is no evidence of continued spread in a community. “
March 12: 12 cases
As more cases of the disease are identified, several states prohibit large events and public meetings, but South Carolina officials resist this action.
“We don’t compare to other jurisdictions in terms of what they are doing in relation to local public health decisions,” says Bell.
Bell says that local leaders must weigh a variety of risks when deciding whether to proceed with events, but the state Department of Health and Environmental Control sees no need for closings and cancellations at this point from a health standpoint.
McMaster still plans to preside over Greenville’s St. Patrick’s Day festival that weekend, but organizers choose to cancel the event.
March 13: 13 cases
Following the example of 35 other governors and President Donald Trump, McMaster declares a state of emergency in South Carolina.
“Today, we take the best course of action for our state, for our people and for our future.”
Bell says the state has no widespread transmission. So far, 123 people have been tested across the state.
“At this time, it is recommended for most Southern Carolinians to continue their daily routine,” she says.
March 15: 28 cases
McMaster orders schools and colleges to close by March 31 and urges communities to limit meetings to 100 people or less.
McMaster assures residents that there is no shortage of testing resources in state and private laboratories.
March 16: 34 cases and first death
Charleston, North Charleston and Mount Pleasant join other cities to declare a state of emergency as public confusion and frustration escalates with access to virus tests.
March 17: 47 cases
McMaster prohibits meetings of 50 or more people and orders that bars and restaurants end the dinner service. In Charleston alone, nearly 1,600 layoffs are announced by two groups of restaurants and tour operators in coaches.
March 19: 82 cases
South Carolina officials say the virus will stay with us for a while and warn of possible rapid spread if people do not keep a safe distance from each other.
“This is likely to be an extended response and we want people to be prepared for more cases to occur,” says Bell. “If people don’t follow the current recommendations for social distance and avoid crowds, we can see a doubling of the case rate similar to what we saw in other states.”
March 21: 173 cases and 3 deaths
McMaster orders the state tax deadline to be extended to July.
March 23: 298 cases and 5 deaths
McMaster encourages South Carolina residents to take social detachment seriously and instructs law enforcement officials to ban or disperse anyone gathered in groups of three or more, unless authorized in a person’s home.
“South Carolina is making great progress,” says McMaster.
He says the state is not issuing shelter in order, but all plans and contingencies are on the table.
March 24: 342 cases and 7 deaths
The city of Charleston becomes the first community in the state to issue an order to stay at home, closing city parks, closing non-essential businesses and requiring people to stay at home as long as possible. McMaster stays on course, saying that his call for voluntary action does almost the same thing.
March 25: 424 cases and 8 deaths
Calls for McMaster to issue an order to stay at home increase as the number of cases increases and the virus claims John C. “Jack” West III, a longtime lobbyist and son of former Governor John C. West.
DHEC is committed to prioritizing early respondents to test and share the CEPs where the infected live, following complaints from counties that the state was not giving them the information and protection needed to do their job.
March 26: 456 cases and 9 deaths
McMaster says that an order to stay at home across the state is unnecessary because people are voluntarily fulfilling their previous orders and requests to avoid meetings and maintain social distance.
“I have a lot of faith in common sense, wisdom, resilience and commitment from people in our state,” he says.
March 28: 660 cases and 15 deaths
Hundreds of people flock to Folly Beach after the city lifted coast restrictions in response to a non-binding opinion from Attorney General Alan Wilson’s office that only the governor has the power to issue residence orders. Edisto Beach does the same, although Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island maintain restrictions. After consulting with lawyers, Folly employees change course and close again at dusk.
McMaster orders state schools to close by April.
March 30: 925 cases and 18 deaths
The biggest increase in cases in a single day so far. In a statement, Brannon Traxler, a DHEC doctor, said: “Today’s announcement is a stark reminder of the serious threat that COVID-19 poses to our families, friends and communities.”
McMaster issues executive order prohibiting the public from accessing South Carolina’s beaches, lakes and rivers.
March 31: 1,083 cases and 22 deaths
McMaster orders the closing of non-essential deals to contain the coronavirus outbreak, following the example of at least 40 other states.
Mount Pleasant joins Charleston and Columbia in issuing a home stay request to residents.