32 new COVID-19 cases, no deaths announced in Beaufort County on Saturday
Thirty-two new COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Beaufort County on Saturday.
No additional deaths were announced.
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.
The county on Thursday logged its highest daily COVID-19 case count since late September, with 42 newly confirmed infections.
South Carolina reported 1,617 new cases statewide Saturday, according to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
DHEC has warned of increasing virus spread around the Upstate and said S.C. should prepare for a third wave of infections.
Jasper County reported three new cases, one probable case and zero fatalities Saturday.
Local numbers
▪ Seven-day average of new cases in Beaufort County: 23.2
▪ Total cases: 6,443 confirmed, according to DHEC
▪ Total deaths: 90 confirmed, according to DHEC
▪ Two-week incidence rate: 171.8 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, has 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 Friday: 15.4%
▪ New cases announced Saturday: 1,617
▪ Total cases: 182,943 confirmed
▪ New deaths announced Saturday: 9
▪ Total deaths: 3,844 confirmed
Cases by ZIP code
Bluffton’s ZIP code of 29910 continues to lead the county with 1,646 cases this year. Beaufort’s 29902 ZIP code, meanwhile, has recorded 1,178 cases since March, the second-highest figure in the county.
Hilton Head’s 29928 ZIP code, covering the southeastern part of the island, has 429 cases. The 29926 ZIP code on the north side has 779 cases, according to DHEC data.
Okatie’s 29909 ZIP code, which includes Sun City Hilton Head, has reported 358 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.
