Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on March 27
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Latest coronavirus cases
At least 539 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina, and 13 people have died as of Friday morning, according to public health officials.
Officials reported 86 addition cases and four deaths on Friday. People have tested positive for the virus in 39of the state’s 46 counties, according to the Department of Health and Environmental Control.
More than 590,000 cases of the COVID-19 virus have been confirmed worldwide with almost 27,000 deaths as of Friday, according to Johns Hopkins University. The United States has more than 100,000 confirmed cases and more than 1,500 deaths.
SC congressman tests positive
South Carolina Rep. Joe Cunningham tested positive for COVID-19, his office said Friday, The State reports.
Cunningham has been in self-quarantine since March 19 when he learned he had been in contact with another member of Congress who tested positive for the virus. He initially said he would stay isolated until March 27.
“While I otherwise feel fine, since March 17th I have been unable to smell or taste, which I learned this week is a potential symptom of COVID-19,” the Lowcountry congressman said in a statement.
Are city ‘stay at home’ orders legal?
South Carolina Attorney General’s Office said Friday that local orders requiring people to stay at home may not be legal.
Columbia and Charleston city leaders have issued stay-at-home orders for people in those cities, The State reports.
The legal opinion, issued Friday, said that the governor “as the elected chief executive of the state, is responsible for the safety, security and welfare of the state” in a state of emergency.
State parks closed
South Carolina state parks will be closed through the end of April, officials said.
All state parks will be closed March 28 until April 30, the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism said Friday.
Myrtle Beach area hotels shutting down
Officials Thursday voted to close hotels, resorts and tourist attractions in the Myrtle Beach area starting this weekend.
Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach and Horry County councils all voted Thursday to shut down resorts, golf courses and other tourist amenities in hopes of slowing the spread of the coronavirus on the Grand Strand.
Hotels and resorts in Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach will not take any new short-term renters starting this weekend, The Sun News reports. Visitors already checked in will have to leave.
Top SC health official goes on leave
As the coronavirus pandemic grows in South Carolina, the state’s top public health official is taking a leave of absence for medical reasons, The State reports.
DHEC Director Rick Toomey said changes to his high blood pressure medication “have not achieved the desired results,” and he will be on medical leave for two to three weeks.
Shortage of supplies hampers testing
State epidemiologist Linda Bell said the DHEC lab has a backlog of 1,600 coronavirus tests. The work of getting results from those tests is being slowed because of shortages of the chemicals needed to perform the tests, The State reports.
“The variation in number of cases day to day reflects the availability of chemicals, also referred to as reagents, needed for laboratories to perform this testing,” Bell said Thursday. “There is a shortage of these chemicals nationwide and within South Carolina, including the DHEC public health lab.”
The shortages are also slowing tests at private labs, she said.
This story was originally published March 27, 2020 at 7:28 AM with the headline "Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on March 27."
