1 COVID-19 death, 8 new infections announced in Beaufort County Monday
State health officials on Monday reported a new COVID-19 death in Beaufort County.
A person described as elderly died Saturday after contracting the coronavirus, according to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Eight new COVID-19 cases were also announced in the county Monday.
Since mid-August, Beaufort County has seen fewer daily cases. But some experts fear a possible surge of infections as face-to-face instruction resumes at schools.
Flu season and colder weather are also causes for concern, experts say.
Dr. Linda Bell, DHEC’s top epidemiologist, on Friday encouraged state residents to get a flu shot.
“We don’t want to overwhelm our hospital systems, our intensive care unit beds, our ventilators,” Bell told reporters. “To the extent that we can prevent flu, we must.”
Local numbers
Viral test results reported Sunday: 210
Average percent of positive viral tests in the past week: 6.6%
Seven-day average of new cases in Beaufort County: 16
Total cases: 5,819 confirmed, according to DHEC
Total deaths: 86 confirmed, according to DHEC
Two-week incidence rate: 123.4 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.
Statewide numbers
Percent of positive non-antibody tests reported Sunday: 9.1%
New cases announced Monday: 584
Total cases: 152,242 confirmed
New deaths announced Monday: 7
Total deaths: 3,355 confirmed
Cases by ZIP code
Bluffton’s ZIP code of 29910 continues to lead the county with 1,445 cases this year. Beaufort’s 29902 ZIP code, meanwhile, has recorded 1,136 cases since March, the second-highest figure in the county.
Hilton Head’s 29928 ZIP code, covering the southeastern part of the island, has 359 cases. The 29926 ZIP code on the north side has 687 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.
People who are active in the community or those who can’t effectively social distance or wear a mask should be tested for COVID-19 monthly, according to DHEC.
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.
