Beach closures, Beaufort Marine tests positive: Coronavirus info you may have missed

NOTE: The information in this article was last updated Friday, March 20. For the most up-to-date coverage go to www.islandpacket.com.

Here’s what you might have missed Friday about coronavirus in Beaufort and Jasper counties:

1. One more person has tested positive for the coronavirus in Beaufort County, according to a South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control news release Thursday. The announcement brings the total number of local cases to seven.

2. Hilton Head Island Mayor John McCann closed all beaches and parking lots Friday afternoon. After getting reports of people flocking to the beach and drinking, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office said deputies would be dispersing crowds and arresting people for drinking on the beaches this weekend.

3. Hilton Head Island leaders said the town will not close the bridge off to tourists, like the Outer Banks in North Carolina did.

4. U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham, D-SC, who represents Beaufort County, said Thursday that he would be self-quarantining after contact with a fellow lawmaker who tested positive for coronavirus.

5. A Marine stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort has tested positive for coronavirus, a base spokesperson said Friday. The Marine was tested Tuesday after returning from leave in California.

6. Beginning on Monday, the Beaufort County Probate Court Hilton Head Satellite Office will no longer be taking marriage license applications. They will still be accepted by appointment only at the Beaufort location.

Although information spreads quickly on social media platforms such as Facebook, NextDoor and Twitter, be sure to keep an eye on www.islandpacket.com for fact-checked, verified information about COVID-19.

Bookmark this page! The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette newspapers will continue to update it.

Do you have questions about the coronavirus? We will get the answers for you. Go to bit.ly/virusBeaufortCounty and let us know what you need to know.

Here’s the most up-to-date information:

COVID-19 CASES

What’s the latest with coronavirus in Beaufort County?

On Thursday afternoon, state officials said one more person in Beaufort County have tested positive for the virus, bringing the total cases in the county up to seven.

Details have only been released on the first three cases in the county, two of which were exposed to a confirmed case from another state. The third patient recently traveled internationally and has no known connection to the other two cases.

One of those three patients lives in Sun City, The Island Packet reported Wednesday.

A Marine stationed at Parris Island has tested positive for coronavirus, The Island Packet reported Friday.

The marine was tested Tuesday after returning from leave in California. All travel has been restricted and leave for Marines will only be granted locally within 85 miles of the military base.

Are we still under a state of emergency?

Yes, S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency Friday and Beaufort and Jasper counties, the towns of Hilton Head, Bluffton and Port Royal, and the cities of Beaufort and Hardeeville followed suit.

HOSPITALS

What should I do if I go to a local hospital for a fever or respiratory symptoms?

Beaufort Memorial Hospital and Express Care clinics are asking patients to call ahead if possible.

Patients are likely to receive rapid influenza and strep tests and, in some cases, may be asked to wait in their cars while the tests are administered and processed.

Hilton Head Hospital is limiting visitors to one per patient and prohibiting visitors under 18 years old, according to Hilton Head Regional Healthcare CEO Jeremy Clark. Patients being monitored or patients who have confirmed cases of COVID-19 may not receive any visitors, Clark said.

The hospital is continuing to perform surgeries, Clark said. That contradicts guidance from Gov. McMaster, who on Tuesday suggested all hospitals reschedule non-emergency surgeries.

The hospital set up a tent outside its emergency room on the island’s north end to use in for waiting, testing, screening or triage if necessary, Clark said. It has not been utilized yet, he said.

Hilton Head has an adequate supply of gowns, masks, goggles and gloves, Clark said.

Do I have coronavirus symptoms?

Medical University of South Carolina and Prisma Health are offering free online visits for anyone experiencing coronavirus symptoms such as coughing, fever or shortness of breath.

Both organizations will screen patients via online tools to decide if a test is needed.

To use Medical University of South Carolina Health’s service in Charleston visit https://campaigns.muschealth.org/virtual-care/index.html.

Prisma’s tool can be found at https://www.palmettohealth.org/medical-services/other-services/smartexam

Visit Beaufort Memorial’s website at www.beaufortmemorial.org/coronavirus for more information or email healthupdates@bmhsc.org.

Can I get tested locally?

All testing must be done in conjunction with South Carolina’s Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Local urgent care and emergency rooms do not have tests on site and urge people with symptoms to isolate themselves and call to coordinate testing. If you are showing symptoms, you should call your doctor.

On Sunday, Beaufort Memorial issued a statement with criteria for who can get a doctor’s order for coronavirus testing.

DHEC has the capacity to test about 300 people statewide per day, according to the agency.

SCHOOLS

How long are Beaufort County schools closed?

Beaufort County School District, Technical College of the Lowcountry and many private schools announced Sunday they would close through the end of the month following an order to close all public schools statewide by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster.

All school-related events, including after-school activities and spring sports, are put on hold by the governor’s order, a Beaufort County School District release says. The district is also sharing updates related to the coronavirus on its website.

South Carolina will count out-of-school instruction during the coronavirus closure as instructional time, which means there won’t be make-up days for school closures, state Department of Education officials confirmed Wednesday.

Will students still have to take end-of-the-year tests?

State superintendent Molly Spearman announced Tuesday that she would seek a waiver for federally-mandated end-of-year testing, the results of which are used as benchmarks for school report cards and funding.

Beaufort County and Jasper County students can get free breakfasts and lunches at pickup sites throughout both counties.

What if my students has online work and we don’t have access to internet?

Hargray announced Monday that they would offer free internet for 60 days to households with K-12 and college students who are not subscribers, as well as free speed upgrades to existing customers.

As of Wednesday afternoon, “hundreds” have requested new internet service and 50 households have received speed upgrades, according to chairman and CEO Michael Gottdenker. Technicians installing new internet services will be equipped with gloves and sanitizer. Those interested can request service online or by calling 877-HARGRAY.

Where can students get breakfast and lunches provided by schools?

In Beaufort County, 11 schools and one community center are serving as drive-through meal pick-up sites.

Any child age 18 or younger can receive free breakfasts and lunches regardless of meal status during the school year, superintendent Frank Rodriguez said in a news release. Meals cannot be eaten at these sites, and nobody will be allowed into school buildings.

In their second day of closures, Beaufort County School District added several meal pick-up sites for students along bus routes, as well as at Whale Branch Middle School.

Buses will stop for 20 minutes at each of the new sites, which you can find on the district’s website.

Jasper County is also offering meals at bus stops listed on their website.

What about USCB ?

USCB will hold all of its classes online for the remainder of the semester, and has postponed commencement ceremonies. Commencement has not been rescheduled, but won’t impact degree completion status. All USCB campuses – Bluffton, Beaufort, Hilton Head Island – are operational for essential services only.

How about daycares and preschools?

Daycare facilities are not included in the governor’s order, but they were encouraged to follow suit and close. Here’s a list from earlier this week of how facilities are responding.

EVENTS AND BUSINESSES

Is the pandemic affecting local businesses and tourism?

Yes, and the Lowcountry is bracing for even more economic effects now that RBC Heritage presented by Boeing is canceled.

Statewide hotel occupancy rates were down by 5.4% in the first week of March, according to Dawn Dawson-House, director of communications for South Carolina Parks, Recreation and Tourism.

“Usually this time of year around March with spring break and (RBC) Heritage, we, especially on the coast, start moving into the 70% occupancy range,” she said. “Right now were hovering around 20%.”

At least one major restaurant group on Hilton Head Island reported a sharp drop in guests even before Gov. McMaster said all restaurants must stop in-house dining services by Wednesday morning.

How coronavirus affects Hilton Head hotels, restaurants as governor shuts dining rooms

On Wednesday morning, Sea Pines on Hilton Head Island waived its $10 commercial gate fee for food and medication delivery to the south end community.

Speaking of tourists, will Hilton Head Island stop them from coming?

Mayor John McCann and Town Manager Steve Riley said the town does not have the resources or legal authority to close the bridge.

What cancellations have happened?

As of Friday morning, here are businesses and organizations that have announced closings.

Do you know of a closure or business hours change not on this list? Tell us about it at http://bit.ly/ClosedinBeaufortCounty.

All dining rooms in bars and restaurants in South Carolina were closed as of Wednesday morning.

Are some stores creating special times for senior citizens to shop?

Yes, major retailers like Target, Walmart, Whole Foods, and Dollar General have designated times where only seniors can shop to make it safer for them by helping them avoid large crowds.

Why are some shelves empty in local stores?

Shoppers are “panic buying” lots of toilet paper and other items such as liquid hand soap and sanitizer.

Stores are trying to keep up with the high demand. Shoppers at Publix and Kroger in Bluffton reported shortages of produce, eggs, bread and paper products.

OUTDOORS AND RECREATION

Are beaches open on Hilton Head Island?

The beaches are open without any additional restrictions as of Friday afternoon.

A thinner than normal crowd turned out to watch the sun go down on Folly Field beach Tuesday evening. The same appeared to be the case at Driessen Beach on Wednesday.

Can I go camping and to the beach at Hunting Island?

The beach, trails, campground and cabin will remain open to visitors and the park will be staffed, but some facilities inside the park are closed.

However, the Hunting Island visitors center, nature center, and shops are closed, Robb Wells with the Greater Beaufort-Port Royal Convention and Visitors Bureau said Tuesday.

The lighthouse will be closed to climbing.

Park programs are canceled through April 1 to limit large gatherings.

AIRPORTS/TRAVEL

Can I still fly through the Hilton Head Island Airport or Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport?

Yes. Both airports are operating as usual.

They are taking extra cleaning precautions, but airport officials reported lower numbers on incoming and outgoing flights Wednesday morning.

One local airport official said there have been “minimal cancellations” from commercial airlines but travelers should “anticipate cuts in the next few weeks.”

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Is Palmetto Breeze still running?

Yes. Besides suspending the route from USCB Bluffton to Hilton Head (Routte 508) because of the school’s closure, there haven’t been any major changes to the bus operations.

The transit company is providing all bus operators with wipes, gloves, disinfectant and hand sanitizers, executive director Mary Lou Franzoni said earlier this week.

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

All local governments in Beaufort County have declared a public health state of emergency in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Beaufort County, the Town of Bluffton, City of Beaufort, and Town of Port Royal have closed most offices and canceled most meetings through the end of the month. Some services are being limited, and whatever can be done online or over the phone is being encouraged to be done that way.

SENIOR LIVING HOMES

What steps are assisted living and skilled nursing facilities taking to protect elderly patients and residents?

All nursing homes and assisted living facilities have been ordered by state officials to restrict visits from family and friends, with case-by-case exceptions for end-of-life situations.

Many are screening employees on a daily basis.

This story was originally published March 16, 2020 at 1:32 PM.