Positive coronavirus test confirmed at Shaw Air Force Base, officials say
The first confirmed case of coronavirus at Shaw Air Force Base was reported Monday night.
The spouse of an airman at the Sumter base tested positive for COVID-19, Air Force officials said in a statement.
The couple is now quarantined at their off-base home, according to the statement.
The Airman is a member of the 20th Fighter Wing, and public health officials are notifying anyone who might have had contact with the couple, it said in the statement.
The airman was tested for COVID-19 Monday and will not return to duty until being cleared, officials said.
“Team Shaw works closely with state, regional, and local health officials to detect and respond to the coronavirus concern,” it said in the release.
The Air Force said any of its members at Shaw who have a fever, cough, or shortness of breath should call the 20th Medical Group (803-895-2273) or TRICARE Nurse Advice (800-874-2273)
“We know this virus is unforgiving and silently spreads in our community,” said Col. Derek O’Malley, the commanding officer at the base. “I promise you we are going to tell you everything we know.”
Prior to the announcement from Shaw, the U.S. Army confirmed two positive cases of the coronavirus at Fort Jackson in Columbia.
A soldier in training and an officer attending a course at Fort Jackson tested positive and are in isolation, Army officials said in a news release.
They are receiving medical care and will not return to duty until they are cleared, according to the release.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
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.
On Monday, 103 new cases of the coronavirus were reported in South Carolina, bringing the statewide total to 298 confirmed COVID-19 cases in 34 counties, according to the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).
Four cases have been confirmed in Sumter County, where Shaw is located, while 43 patients have tested positive for COVID-19 in Richland County, home of Fort Jackson, according to DHEC.
DHEC also announced Monday that two more people died after testing positive for the coronavirus, raising that total to five in less than two weeks. State health officials described all five as elderly with underlying medical conditions.
“We must continue to do all we can to protect ourselves and those around us, especially those at higher-risk for developing severe illness from the virus,” state epidemiologist Linda Bell said in a news release. “Based on our data as well as the data shared by other states and other countries, we, in South Carolina, should expect to see the number of positive cases continue to increase. This disease is here, it’s in our communities, and we all have a part to play in helping to stop the spread of it.”
Symptoms of coronavirus can include a fever, coughing, and difficulty breathing, according to the CDC. Among the emergency warning signs of COVID-19 is trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, and blueish lips or face, the CDC said.
The best way to prevent infection is to frequently wash hands for 20 seconds; avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth; avoid contact with sick people and clean frequently touched objects with a cleaning spray or wipe, according to the CDC. DHEC also recommends covering your cough, staying home when sick, and disposing tissues and other items that you’ve sneezed or coughed into.
Free online screenings also can be accessed by all South Carolina residents, by going to scdhec.gov/COVID19.
Prisma Health is also offering free access to medical professionals for those who think they may have coronavirus, The State reported. People experiencing COVID-19 symptoms can go to https://www.prismahealth.org/virtual-visit/ and schedule a free online visit, Prisma officials said.
As of Tuesday morning, 383,944 people worldwide have been diagnosed with coronavirus and 16,595 people have died, while 101,911 recovered, according to Johns Hopkins University. In the United States, 46,450 people have been diagnosed with the novel virus. In the U.S. 593 deaths have been reported, including 125 in New York City, according to Johns Hopkins.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREThis is a breaking news story
In a breaking news situation, facts can be unclear and the situation may still be developing. The State is trying to get important information to the public as quickly and accurately as possible. This story will be updated as more information becomes available, and some information in this story may change as the facts become clearer. Refresh this page later for more updated information.
This story was originally published March 24, 2020 at 6:51 AM with the headline "Positive coronavirus test confirmed at Shaw Air Force Base, officials say."
