1 COVID-19 death, 19 new infections recorded in Beaufort County Tuesday
One COVID-19 death was recorded in Beaufort County on Tuesday.
A person described as elderly died Oct. 12 after contracting the coronavirus, according to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Nineteen new COVID-19 cases were also announced in the county Tuesday. A probable case was reported as well.
Since mid-August, Beaufort County has seen fewer daily cases. But some experts fear a possible surge of infections as cooler weather sets in, flu season begins and kids return to school for face-to-face instruction.
Hilton Head High School’s entire cheerleading team was asked to quarantine Monday after a member tested positive for COVID-19.
The Beaufort County Council also backtracked late Monday, voting to renew mandatory face covering rules a week after first deciding to let them expire. The mask ordinance is now in place until Dec. 19.
Cases are rising around some parts of the country, meanwhile, according to Johns Hopkins University data. The Midwest has been hit hard in recent days.
Local numbers
Viral test results reported Monday: 133
Average percent of positive viral tests in the past week: 5.4%
Seven-day average of new cases in Beaufort County: 13.4
Total cases: 5,924 confirmed, according to DHEC
Total deaths: 87 confirmed, according to DHEC
Two-week incidence rate: 112.9 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 Monday: 13.4%
New cases announced Tuesday: 666
Total cases: 158,747 confirmed
New deaths announced Tuesday: 25
Total deaths: 3,475 confirmed
Cases by ZIP code
Bluffton’s ZIP code of 29910 continues to lead the county with 1,476 cases this year. Beaufort’s 29902 ZIP code, meanwhile, has recorded 1,146 cases since March, the second-highest figure in the county.
Hilton Head’s 29928 ZIP code, covering the southeastern part of the island, has 366 cases. The 29926 ZIP code on the north side has 704 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.
