8 new COVID-19 cases reported in Beaufort Co. on Election Day; SC logs 741 infections
Eight new COVID-19 cases were reported in Beaufort County on Election Day, as voters headed to the polls.
The infections likely occurred a few days ago and do not reflect people who contracted SARS-CoV-2 on Tuesday.
No additional deaths were reported.
Over 700 new cases, meanwhile, were announced statewide Tuesday.
Since mid-August, Beaufort County has seen fewer daily cases. But some experts fear a surge of infections as cooler weather sets in and flu season begins.
In recent days, the positivity rate in South Carolina has increased. Beaufort County has also seen an uptick in the percentage of positive tests.
Jasper County on Election Day recorded two new infections and no additional fatalities.
Local numbers
Viral test results reported Monday: 111
Average percent of positive viral tests in the past week: 7.8%
Seven-day average of new cases in Beaufort County: 16.4
Total cases: 6,174 confirmed, according to DHEC
Total deaths: 90 confirmed, according to DHEC
Two-week incidence rate: 134.8 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: 14.7%
New cases announced Tuesday: 741
Total cases: 170,862 confirmed
New deaths announced Tuesday: 18
Total deaths: 3,713 confirmed
Cases by ZIP code
Bluffton’s ZIP code of 29910 continues to lead the county with 1,558 cases this year. Beaufort’s 29902 ZIP code, meanwhile, has recorded 1,157 cases since March, the second-highest figure in the county.
Hilton Head’s 29928 ZIP code, covering the southeastern part of the island, has 399 cases. The 29926 ZIP code on the north side has 743 cases, according to DHEC data.
Okatie’s 29909 ZIP code, which includes Sun City Hilton Head, has reported 320 cases.
Coronavirus infections at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island are included 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.
