South Carolina records first coronavirus death as the state’s number of cases rises to 34
{child_byline} By Gregory Yee and Fleming Smith
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On the same day, South Carolina saw its first death due to the new coronavirus, cities across the state imposed states of emergency that changed the way people will live their daily lives in the near future.
Six new presumed positive cases were identified on Monday, bringing the state total to 34.
The first patient to die after contracting COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, was a newly diagnosed elderly man who was a resident of the Lexington Extended Care Skilled Nursing Facility Medical Center, according to the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control .
Health officials said she also had other medical conditions and that her cause of death is being investigated.
DHEC is working with the nursing home to identify anyone who has come in contact with the patient and is providing guidance on infection control measures to prevent further spread, officials said.
Of the six new cases, one case was identified in Lexington County, an elderly person who was in close contact with a previously identified case. The patient is isolated in a health unit. Another patient was identified in Georgetown County after being treated in the emergency room at Tidelands Community Hospital Waccamaw and is now isolated at home, Tidelands Health officials said Monday night.
Four new cases have been identified in Kershaw County, the epicenter of South Carolina’s cases, including three middle-aged individuals and an elderly person. 344 people in South Carolina have been tested for the virus, according to the DHEC website.
In Charleston, Mayor John Tecklenburg declared a state of emergency on Monday afternoon. The City Council later voted 9-3 to limit public indoor meetings to 50 people or less, starting at midnight on Tuesday. The restriction includes bars, restaurants, places of worship, cinemas and gyms, as determined by the ordinance.
City officials said there would be an effort in the next few days to encourage restaurants to comply with the law and that tickets would not be issued immediately. The law must remain in force for 60 days or after the lifting of the state of emergency. Grocery stores are exempt from the ordinance.
President Donald Trump’s government and federal health officials tried to clarify the matter on Monday. They recommended that Americans should not meet in groups of more than 10, educate their children at home and avoid discretionary travel for the next 15 days. Older Americans must remain at home to avoid contact with the virus.
Still, the White House has stopped ordering such restrictions across the country. The lack of government consensus has resulted in a national patchwork of precautions – and confusion among the general public about what is right and what is not, as public health officials try to slow the spread of the virus that causes COVID disease. -19.
Mount Pleasant also declared a state of emergency on Monday, banning any gathering of more than 50 people. “These are life and death issues,” said Mayor Will Haynie.
North Charleston city officials have also issued a state of emergency. They did not limit public meetings, but recommended that any meeting involve 50 people or less.
Several facilities around North Charleston have been closed, including the Coliseum, the Performing Arts Center and the Convention Center, gyms, senior centers and the Riverfront Park. All Cultural Arts facilities were closed and all school presentations were suspended. The North Charleston Arts Fest and Children’s Festival have been canceled.
Mayor Keith Summey said the city is operating in the same way as under a Hurricane Watch, the difference being that city offices are still open.
Folly Beach officials declared a state of emergency on Monday afternoon, companies – including restaurants and bars – were asked to keep their occupancy below 50 percent and start offering only takeaway food.
The city administrator, Spencer Whetmore, confirmed that this is not a mandate, but is a request based on guidelines from the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The state of emergency comes at a difficult time for the city that depends on tourism on one of Charleston’s barrier islands because of spring break at colleges and public schools.
In Berkeley County, the county’s recreational facilities and buildings closed in Hanahan, Goose Creek and Moncks Corner. Dorchester County declared a state of emergency on Monday night, and Summerville officials said they are discouraging meetings of more than 50 people.
Between McMaster discouraging meetings of 100 or more people, the CDC setting the barrier for 50 people and the White House warning against meetings above 10, many residents were confused about which guidelines to follow. “There is no magic number for a meeting,” said Dr. Linda Bell, an epidemiologist at DHEC.
Factors to consider when canceling or postponing an event include whether it is likely to attract people “traveling from other areas” or whether many of the participants will be older or meet other high-risk criteria, she said.
Coronavirus concerns prompted organizers to cancel one of South Carolina’s biggest air shows: the Charleston Air Expo, where the Navy Blue Angels were scheduled to perform.
Monday’s announcement came after a series of new cases were announced on Saturday and Sunday. DHEC reported 15 new suspected cases of COVID-19 over the weekend. On Monday, the state’s total number of cases rose to 34. The presumed cases had positive test results, but were awaiting confirmation from the CDC.
On Sunday, three new cases were identified in Kershaw County, which now accounts for more than half of the state’s total. Three cases were found in Horry County, two in Anderson County and one in Greenville County.
“Although we expect the number of cases in the U.S. and here at home to increase, most people are unlikely to develop serious illnesses,” said Bell.
For those concerned about getting tested, allergies can cause coughing and shortness of breath, but a fever in conjunction with other symptoms is the best indication that someone may have contracted the virus, DHEC officials said on Sunday.
On Friday, the governor declared a state of emergency in the face of increasing pressure to act.
The state closed all public pre-school schools and colleges by March 31 and authorities asked communities to limit public meetings to 100 people or less.
The South Carolina Senate will meet on Tuesday to discuss legislation that gives the state public health agency access to $ 45 million to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. If approved, the project would give DHEC more funding for personal protective equipment, additional personnel, laboratory and cleaning supplies, public education, quarantine needs and transport of laboratory samples.
State public health officials continue to urge the public to take basic precautionary measures, such as washing your hands frequently, covering your cough with shirt sleeves, staying at home when you are sick and disposing of handkerchiefs and other items that may have sneezed or coughed.
Mikaela Porter, Rickey Dennis, Caitlin Byrd, Seanna Adcox, David Slade, Thomas Novelly, Jerrel Floyd and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Talk to Gregory Yee at 843-937-5908. Follow him on Twitter @GregoryYYee.
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