Beaufort Co. logs two straight days of highest new COVID-19 cases since early August
On Friday and Saturday, Beaufort County reported two days of its highest daily COVID-19 case count since early August, according to data from the S.C. Department of Environmental Health and Control.
South Carolina again shattered its statewide record of new infections confirmed within 24 hours.
There were 71 new coronavirus cases were recorded in Beaufort County on Saturday. Three probable infections were also logged. On Friday, Beaufort County reported 65 new cases and six probable infections,
The area hasn’t seen a case count like that since Aug. 11, when 70 cases were announced.
No new deaths were confirmed in the county Friday or Saturday.
The Lowcountry has recorded an uptick in disease spread this month, mirroring other spots around South Carolina.
Experts previously warned that a surge of cases was likely in the weeks following Thanksgiving, as holiday-related infections were confirmed. On Saturday, DHEC reported that 20.8% of tests for COVID-19 in the state were positive.
The previous single-day record for new S.C. cases was July 19, when more than 2,300 were announced.
On Friday, there were 2,470 new cases reported. On Saturday, DHEC reported 2,715 new cases.
Beaufort County’s seven-day average of new cases, meanwhile, increased to 46 as of Saturday, marking the highest average since mid-August. In early October, the average had dropped into the low teens.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control had already warned of an outbreak in the Upstate. There were 410 infections reported in Greenville County on Friday. On Saturday, the county reported 441 new cases.
Experts have warned S.C. residents to follow public health guidelines during the holiday season, fearing rapid transmission of the novel virus in poorly ventilated buildings.
Jasper County, meanwhile, reported three new cases and zero fatalities Saturday.
Local numbers
Viral test results reported Wednesday (most recent date that data is available): 480
Average percentage of positive viral tests in the past week, as of Wednesday: 14.3%
Seven-day average of new cases in Beaufort County: 46
Total cases: 7,289 confirmed, according to DHEC
Total deaths: 91 confirmed, according to DHEC
Two-week cumulative incidence rate as of Wednesday: 289.4 cases per 100,000 people, “high”
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 Wednesday: 21.4%
New cases announced Saturday: 2,715
Total cases: 213,795 confirmed
New deaths announced Saturday: 19
Total deaths: 4,194 confirmed
Cases by ZIP code
Bluffton’s ZIP code of 29910 continues to lead the county with 1,907 cases this year. Beaufort’s 29902 ZIP code, meanwhile, recorded 1,267 cases since March, the second-highest figure in the county.
Hilton Head’s 29928 ZIP code, covering the southeastern part of the island, has reported 506 cases. The 29926 ZIP code on the north end has reported 889 cases, according to DHEC data.
Okatie’s 29909 ZIP code, which includes Sun City Hilton Head, has reported 452 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.
