23 coronavirus infections confirmed in Beaufort Co. as SC reports low number of new cases
Twenty-three new COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Beaufort County on Monday. One probable case was also reported.
Only 393 infections were recorded statewide Monday, according to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Since mid-August, Beaufort County has seen fewer daily cases. And DHEC on Monday again classified the county as having “medium” recent disease activity.
But the number of COVID-19 tests conducted in the area has also dropped. And some experts fear a possible surge in cases this fall as schools resume face-to-face classes.
The Beaufort County School District plans to resume in-person instruction starting Oct. 5, superintendent Frank Rodriguez announced Wednesday.
The district will use a hybrid instructional model in which students go to school buildings two days a week.
“Assuming that DHEC’s COVID-19 metrics continue to decrease, the district will transition to traditional in-person classes five days a week when it is safe to do so,” district spokeswoman Candace Bruder wrote in a Thursday news release.
Local numbers
Viral test results reported Sunday: 247
Percent of positive viral tests in the past week: 12.6%
Seven-day average of new cases in Beaufort County: 25.7
Total cases: 5,391 confirmed
Total deaths: 78 confirmed
Two-week incidence rate: 179.6 cases per 100,000 people, “moderate”
An incidence rate measures how quickly a disease is spreading through a given population.
Dr. Scott Curry, an infectious disease specialist at the Medical University of South Carolina, said counties should aim to have a two-week incidence rate of less than 50 new cases per 100,000 people.
The World Health Organization, meanwhile, has suggested that governments reopen only after the percentage of positive tests is below 5% for at least two weeks.
Statewide numbers
Percent of positive non-antibody tests reported Sunday: 9.5%
New cases announced Monday: 393
Total cases: 134,884 confirmed
New deaths announced Monday: 13
Total deaths: 3,240 confirmed
Cases by ZIP code
Bluffton’s ZIP code of 29910 continues to lead the county with 1,292 cases this year. Beaufort’s 29902 ZIP code, meanwhile, has recorded 1,052 cases since March, the second-highest figure in the county.
Hilton Head’s 29928 ZIP code, covering the southeastern part of the island, has 331 cases. The 29926 ZIP code on the north side has 637 cases, according to DHEC data.
Coronavirus infections at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island are being reported in the 29902 ZIP code.
More information on Beaufort County ZIP code data can be found at the following link. Click on it, then click on “Go to Cases,” then click on Beaufort County on the S.C. map: bit.ly/BeaufortCountyZIP
What are DHEC’s recommendations?
State health officials say residents should continue to practice social distancing and should wear a mask in public.
“Recently, our (case) numbers have been slowly trending downward,” said Dr. Linda Bell, the state’s top epidemiologist, late last month. “For that to continue, we cannot let up.”
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREHow South Carolina’s coronavirus data is compiled
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control’s total COVID-19 case count includes anyone who has tested positive since the pandemic began. The data also include those who have recovered or died.
The state agency does not provide an overall, county-by-county number of cases versus the number of people who have recovered.
DHEC counts deaths based on where a patient lives rather than where they died.
