Because the health agency tests only a small portion of the population, officials are estimating how many people have coronavirus using the numbers of positive results.
About 82 percent, or 752 cases, in Beaufort County are possibly undiagnosed, the state’s projections show
“By including estimates, we hope to better convey more meaningful information about the risk of disease spread in our community,” DHEC’s website says.
The estimates project that Bluffton, which has 30 confirmed cases of coronavirus, likely has 214, the most in Beaufort County.
At the request of Gov. Henry McMaster, DHEC began providing estimates Monday by ZIP code of the number of people infected but who haven’t been tested, reinforcing the widespread nature of coronavirus.
“The ZIP code information alone only represents people who have actually been tested. And we know that with inadequate testing supplies and with inadequate access to care, not everyone who is sick has been tested,” state epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell said at a Friday press conference. “And so we don’t want anybody to believe that that information in any way says what is actually occurring in the communities and the risk for disease spread, regardless of the case counts.’’
On Monday, seven new cases but no additional deaths were reported in Beaufort County.
Beaufort County has seen four coronavirus deaths since the first a week ago:
Woman, 89, of Hilton Head Island died Saturday
Man, 86, of Hilton head Island died Friday
Man, 72, of Beaufort died Tuesday
Man, 81, of Beaufort died March 30
Statewide, 183 new cases were announced Monday for a total of 2,232 cases.
Four more deaths also were announced, bringing the total to 48 across South Carolina.
Zip codes
A triage tent outside the emergency entrance of Beaufort Memorial Hospital as seen on Monday, March 23, 2020. The tent, likely set up in response to the COVID-19 virus, was outfitted with at least one individual in a full-body, protective gown wearing a plastic eye shield and face mask, who was waiting for patients inside. Drew Martin dmartin@islandpacket.com
Here is a Zip code breakdown of where people tested positive and the state’s estimates of other possible cases in Beaufort County as of Monday.
17 positive and 121 possible in Beaufort (29902)
6 possible west of Beaufort (29904)
26 positive and 186 possible in northwest of Beaufort (29906)
11 positive and 79 possible east of Beaufort (29907)
Seven positive and 50 possible in Okatie (29909)
30 positive and 214 possible in Bluffton (29910)
One positive and 7 possible on Daufuskie Island (29915)
Seven positive and 50 possible on St. Helena Island (29920)
15 positive and 79 possible on Hilton Head (29926 and 29928)
Five positive and 36 possible in Port Royal (29935)
One positive and 1 possible in Ridgeland (29936)
One positive and 7 possible in Seabrook (29940)
Six possible in Sheldon (29941)
One positive and 3 possible in Yemassee (29945)
41 cases are listed as unknown ZIP codes.
Parris Island
A drill instructor conducts close order drill at the 3rd Battalion parade deck aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., Feb. 24, 2016. The Marines will stop sending new recruits to Parris Island while dealing with the coronavirus outbreak. Lance Cpl. Richard Currier Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island
The ZIP code for U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in Port Royal, 29905, has not been included in the listing by DHEC.
Positive cases for Parris Island were previously reported in the “unknown” category because the cases were initially reported to DHEC as being in multiple zip codes, DHEC spokeswoman Laura Renwick said in an email Monday.
“Reporting discrepancies such as this contribute to why cases fall in the “unknown” group and our team is continuing to resolve all of the unknowns within 24 hours to have those positive cases recorded in their correct ZIP code of residence,” Renwick said.
This previously included 39 positive cases the Parris Island zip code of 29905 and 1 positive case for Beaufort’s zip code of 29902.
The email did not explain the location of the 41st unknown case.
Teresa Moss is a crime and public safety reporter for The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette. She has worked as a journalist for 16 years for newspapers in Illinois, Missouri and Arkansas.
