Coronavirus death reported in Beaufort Co. on Christmas Day, DHEC says Monday
A COVID-19 death was reported in Beaufort County on Christmas Day, state health officials confirmed Monday.
A person described as elderly died Friday after contracting the novel coronavirus, according to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Thirty-four new COVID-19 cases also were announced in the county Monday.
The Lowcountry has recorded a surge of infections throughout December, mirroring other places around South Carolina and the rest of the country.
Daily case counts in Beaufort County are regularly back to early August levels, although Dec. 18’s report shattered records from July.
Coronavirus cases are rising across the entire Palmetto State, DHEC data show. And 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.
Local numbers
Viral test results reported Saturday (the most recent date for which data is available): 96
Average percentage of positive viral tests in the past week, as of Saturday: 20.8%
Total cases: 8,952 confirmed, according to DHEC
Total deaths: 98 confirmed, according to DHEC
Two-week cumulative incidence rate as of Saturday: 529 cases per 100,000 people, a “high” rate under DHEC’s definition. 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 previously said counties should aim to have a two-week incidence rate of less than 50 new cases per 100,000 people.
Statewide numbers
Percentage of positive non-antibody tests reported Saturday: 28.5%
New cases announced Monday: 1,540
Total cases: 275,285 confirmed
New deaths announced Monday: 18
Total deaths: 4,782 confirmed
Cases by ZIP code
Bluffton’s ZIP code of 29910 continues to lead the county with 2,416 cases this year. Beaufort’s 29902 ZIP code, meanwhile, has recorded 1,495 cases since March, the second-highest figure in the county.
Hilton Head’s 29928 ZIP code, covering the southeastern part of the island, has 660 cases. The 29926 ZIP code on the north side has 1,074 cases, according to DHEC data.
Okatie’s 29909 ZIP code, which includes Sun City Hilton Head, has reported 619 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.
