Overall, 198 people have tested positive for the virus in Beaufort County since the worldwide health crisis was declared a pandemic March 11.
The county has as many as 1,216 undiagnosed cases, according to state estimates. Added to the number of confirmed cases, Beaufort County could have up to 1,414 possible cases, the release says.
Beaufort was reporting the most cases in the county with 69, according to DHEC ZIP code data.
Bluffton followed with 37.
An area northwest of Beaufort, which includes Parris Island, reported 23 cases, and the two Hilton Head ZIP codes recorded 21.
There were 115 new cases reported in South Carolina on Tuesday for a total of 3,553, but DHEC estimates there are 21,826 undiagnosed cases statewide.
The average age of positive coronavirus cases statewide was 50, it reported Tuesday. The median age is 52.
Coronavirus-related deaths
A sign on Hospital Center Boulevard directs all patients arriving at Hilton Head Hospital to use the emergency room as seen on Monday, March 30, 2020. Drew Martin dmartin@islandpacket.com
Beaufort County has had eight coronavirus-related deaths. All were elderly patients, according to DHEC and Beaufort County Coroner information. They are:
An 81-year-old Beaufort man who died March 30.
A 72-year-old Beaufort man who died March 31.
An 86-year-old Hilton Head Island man who died April 3.
An 89-year-old Hilton Head woman who died April 4.
A 83-year-old Lady’s Island woman who died April 7.
A Bluffton man, 75, who died April 9.
A 75-year-old Hilton Head man who died April 12.
A 93-year-old Bluffton man who died April 13.
Monday’s death has yet to be reported by DHEC. It was confirmed Monday by the Beaufort County Coroner’s Office.
There were 10 new deaths reported by DHEC statewide.
Eight of the individuals were elderly with underlying health conditions.
In the ninth death of an elderly person, the underlying health condition is still being investigated.
The final death was of a middle-aged person with underlying health conditions.
Overall South Carolina has seen 97 deaths.
Coronavirus cases by Zip Code
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 the breakdown of coronavirus cases in Beaufort County ZIP codes and nearby areas, both positive and possible. According to DHEC, these numbers are current as of Monday at midnight:
69 positive and 493 possible in Beaufort (29902)
No positive and six possible west of Beaufort (29904)
23 positive and 164 possible northwest of Beaufort (29906)
15 positive and 107 possible east of Beaufort (29907)
10 positive and 71 possible in Okatie (29909)
37 positive and 264 possible in Bluffton (29910)
One positive and seven possible on Daufuskie Island (29915)
Eight positive and 57 possible on St. Helena Island (29920)
14 positive and 100 possible on Hilton Head Island (29926)
Seven positive and 50 possible on Hilton Head Island (29928)
Five positive and 36 possible in Port Royal (29935)
Seven positive and 50 possible in Ridgeland (29936)
Five positive and 36 possible in Hardeeville (29927)
One positive and 7possible in Seabrook (29940)
One positive and seven possible in Sheldon (29941)
Three positive and 21 possible in Yemassee (29945)
Parris Island cases are being recorded under the 29906 ZIP code, DHEC officials previously said.
Positive cases are those in which a patient has been tested and been diagnosed with coronavirus. Possible cases include positive and estimated coronavirus cases that have not been diagnosed. Because of a lack of access to testing, state health officials said this week that for every one confirmed case, there could be up to nine people who are infected but have not been tested.
This story was originally published April 14, 2020 at 5:01 PM.
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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.
