Coronavirus

Beaufort County sheriff to hold coronavirus press conference today. Here’s how to watch

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Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. Tanner is expected to hold a press conference at 2 p.m. Thursday to “discuss impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19) on a county level,” according to an email from spokesperson Maj. Bob Bromage.

Beaufort County School District Superintendent Frank Rodriguez, County Administrator Ashley Jacobs and fire and emergency services representatives will also participate, according to the email.

The conference will be held at the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Center, 2001 Duke St. in Beaufort.

It will be streamed live on The County Channel and the channel’s website.

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What you should know about the coronavirus

The coronavirus is spreading in the United States. Officials are urging people to take precautions to avoid getting sick, and to avoid spreading the disease if they do contract it.

Click the drop-down icon on this card for more on the virus and what you should do to keep yourself and those around you healthy.

What is coronavirus?

Coronavirus is an infection of the respiratory system similar to the flu. Coronaviruses are a class of viruses that regularly cause illnesses among adults and children, but this outbreak has spawned a new disease called COVID-19, a particularly harsh respiratory condition that can lead to death.

Health officials believe COVID-19 spread from animals to humans somewhere in China. It spreads among humans by physical person-to-person contact, including via coughs. That’s why health officials urge sick individuals to avoid contact with other people.

For more information, visit the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms are similar to the flu and include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.

How can I stop the spread of the coronavirus?

Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.

If you develop symptoms similar to the coronavirus, you should seek medical attention. Stay home from work or school and avoid contact with others. It can take up to 14 days after coming into contact with the virus to develop symptoms.

COVID-19 is a new condition and there’s much about the disease we still don’t understand. For now, taking precautions is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

This story was originally published March 19, 2020 at 11:22 AM.

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Kacen Bayless
The Island Packet
A reporter for The Island Packet covering projects and investigations, Kacen Bayless is a native of St. Louis, Missouri. He graduated from the University of Missouri with an emphasis in investigative reporting. In the past, he’s worked for St. Louis Magazine, the Columbia Missourian, KBIA and the Columbia Business Times. His work has garnered Missouri and South Carolina Press Association awards for investigative, enterprise, in-depth, health, growth and government reporting. He was awarded South Carolina’s top honor for assertive journalism in 2020.
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