Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on April 10
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Latest coronavirus cases
At least 3,065 people have tested positive for coronavirus in South Carolina, and 72 people have died, according to public health officials.
Officials reported 274 new cases and five deaths Thursday. Of the five who died, three were middle-aged and two were older, all with underlying medical conditions, and were residents of Berkley, Florence and Greenville counties, state health officials said.
More than 1.6 million cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed worldwide with more than 102,000 deaths as of Wednesday, according to Johns Hopkins University. The United States has more than 500,000 confirmed cases and more than 18,000 deaths.
Beaufort school gym to be COVID treatment site
State and local officials are preparing to transform the Beaufort Middle School gym into a coronavirus treatment site, The Island Packet reported.
The gym is being readied as a precaution, and will be on standby to handle patient overflow from hospitals if COVID-19 cases surge, according to the outlet.
“This is very much an exercise in preparation, and a resource we hope we will never need,” Beaufort Memorial CEO Russell Baxley said in the statement, urging residents to prevent the virus’ spread.
Missed child support warrants halted
The state is putting a 30-day pause on warrants and arrests for missed child support and alimony payments, South Carolina Chief Justice Donald Beatty ordered.
Warrants issued by family courts for missing payments won’t be carried out until May 10, The State reported.
The move is intended to “protect the health and safety of our State’s citizens,” Beatty said in a statement.
Third school meal worker tests positive
A third Horry County schools employee tested positive for the coronavirus, The Sun News reports. The nutritional services employees had been preparing free lunches for students at Socastee Elementary near Myrtle Beach, the school district said.
Town furloughs staff
Surfside Beach in Horry County is cutting staff temporarily as the tourist town’s revenue takes a hit from the coronavirus pandemic, The Sun News reports. Mayor Bob Hellyer said furloughs for city staff will begin Monday.
Columbia curfew begins Friday
The Columbia City Council again approved an 11 p.m. curfew for the city, which will go into effect Friday.
The city had previously put a curfew in place but decided to reinstate it following Gov. Henry McMaster’s statewide stay-at-home order issued Monday.
Anyone caught out between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. in Columbia city limits can be fined or potentially arrested, The State reported. The curfew is intended to reinforce social distancing and slow the spread of coronavirus.
Prisma furloughs 3,900
Prisma Health has furloughed 3,900 employees to cut costs while dedicating its resources to treating coronavirus patients.
Gov. Henry McMaster has asked hospitals not to book elective procedures and instead keep beds and equipment available in case COVID-19 cases surge — and it has taken a financial toll on Prisma, The State reported.
No front-line workers will be furloughed, Prisma told the outlet.
“We did not furlough team members who were directly involved in caring for our patients today, and we did not furlough those team members who are needed so that we can respond to increased volumes from COVID-19 positive patients,” Prisma spokeswoman Tammie Epps said in a email to The State.
WIC recipients increase
A growing number of South Carolina residents are getting help from the Women, Infants and Children nutritional assistance program amid the coronavirus pandemic, The State reported.
The state Department of Health and Environmental Control announced 76,803 were enrolled in the WIC program as of March — an increase of 2,100 from February.
$1 billion shortfall possible
Over a billion dollars could be lost from the state budget from the financial impact of the coronavirus.
According to The State, budget forecasters predict a $507 million general revenue fund shortfall for the current fiscal year ending in June, and another $643 million during the 2020-21 fiscal year starting July 1.
This story was originally published April 10, 2020 at 7:17 AM with the headline "Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on April 10."