106 new coronavirus infections reported in Beaufort Co. as SC logs record high case count
Beaufort County on Friday came close to breaking its record number of new COVID-19 cases.
The county reported 106 new infections, as South Carolina announced 3,137 cases in total Friday — a record. Two probable infections were also recorded in Beaufort County.
The county’s single-day high came July 30, as 113 cases were reported.
Dr. Linda Bell, the state’s top epidemiologist, in a news release Friday pleaded with residents to follow public health guidelines like social distancing and mask use.
“No one else should have to die at the hands of this silent killer,” Bell said, stressing that while Pfizer and BioNTech’s soon-to-be authorized COVID-19 vaccine is days away from deployment at medical centers, it’s “within our power” to stop the surge now.
No new deaths were announced in Beaufort County on Friday.
The Lowcountry has reported an uptick in disease spread this month, mirroring other spots around South Carolina.
Daily case counts in Beaufort County are regularly back to early August levels, although Friday’s report was similar to the infection numbers in July. The county’s seven-day average of new infections spiked 69.1 as of Friday, marking the highest average since the summer.
In early October, that average had dropped into the low teens.
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 also reported 21 new cases and no fatalities Friday.
“While the arriving vaccine is the light at the end of the tunnel, it will be months before there is enough vaccine available for everyone,” wrote Dr. Brannon Traxler, DHEC’s interim director of public health, in the Friday news release. “It is incumbent upon all of us to continue to take actions aimed at saving lives.”
Local numbers
Viral test results reported Wednesday (most recent date that data is available): 692
Average percentage of positive viral tests in the past week, as of Wednesday: 16.5%
Seven-day average of new cases in Beaufort County: 69.4
Total cases: 7,701 confirmed, according to DHEC
Total deaths: 92 confirmed, according to DHEC
Two-week cumulative incidence rate as of Wednesday: 409.6 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: 18.6%
New cases announced Friday: 3,137
Total cases: 228,261 confirmed
New deaths announced Friday: 42
Total deaths: 4,332 confirmed
Cases by ZIP code
Bluffton’s ZIP code of 29910 continues to lead the county with 2,016 cases this year. Beaufort’s 29902 ZIP code, meanwhile, has recorded 1,317 cases since March, the second-highest figure in the county.
Hilton Head’s 29928 ZIP code, covering the southeastern part of the island, has 528 cases. The 29926 ZIP code on the north side has 925 cases, according to DHEC data.
Okatie’s 29909 ZIP code, which includes Sun City Hilton Head, has reported 503 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.
