COVID-19 updates: What’s happening with Beaufort Co. hospitals, schools, events, more
Editor’s note: This page was last updated Saturday, March 14, 2020, at 5:30 p.m. A new, updated version is available here.
As new cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, crop up around the country and in Beaufort County, it’s easy to panic. But by arming yourself with information, you can help keep your family informed and prepared for whatever comes our way.
Here is the most up-to-date local information about how hospitals, schools and local event organizers in Beaufort County are preparing for potential cases of coronavirus.
Check back here often!
This guide will be updated as new information comes into our newsroom.
Do you have questions about the coronavirus? The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette will get the answers for you. Go to bit.ly/virusBeaufortCounty and let us know what you need to know.
COVID-19 CASES
Has there been a case of coronavirus in Beaufort County?
Yes. As of Saturday evening, there are three people who tested positive for the virus in Beaufort County, according to state officials. South Carolina has 19 coronavirus cases in total.
Six of those 19 cases have tested positive for coronavirus but are waiting for confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Seven have been confirmed.
S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency Friday.
Four Beaufort Memorial Hospital employees are in self-isolation after coming in contact with two people under investigation for possible COVID-19 exposure, a Thursday news release from the hospital said. The hospital said the employees were “considered low-risk” for the illness.
A Thursday email to Hilton Head Plantation residents erroneously reported that Beaufort County had one case of coronavirus. The email was referring to a Beaufort High School employee who had been self-quarantining with symptoms. The employee has tested negative for the virus, according to a Beaufort County School District release late Thursday afternoon.
Hilton Head Plantation’s general manager, Peter Kristian, said he would send a correction via email to ensure the community’s 10,000 residents did not assume there was an active case of coronavirus in Beaufort County.
Although information spreads quickly on social media platforms such as Facebook, NextDoor and Twitter, be sure to keep an eye on www.islandpacket.com for fact-checked, verified information about COVID-19.
How many cases of are in South Carolina?
As of Friday, South Carolina had tested a total of 123 individuals for COVID-19, which includes the six presumptive positive and seven confirmed cases.
Who are the people who have coronavirus in South Carolina?
SCHOOLS
Has this affected Beaufort County schools?
Beaufort County School District classes are operating on a normal schedule, but have postponed out-of-district field trips for the next 30 days and have temporarily suspended health care-related internships for about 45 students.
How coronavirus has affected Beaufort Co. schools, universities as SC cases rise
A Beaufort High School employee has self-quarantined since Tuesday while awaiting COVID-19 test results. That employee tested negative for the virus, according to a district release late Thursday afternoon.
The district is also sharing updates related to the coronavirus on its website.
Are TCL classes still happening?
The Technical College of the Lowcountry is operating on a normal schedule. Updates from the school can be found on its website.
What about USCB classes?
All in-person classes are canceled from March 16-21 at The University of South Carolina-Beaufort campuses in Beaufort, Bluffton, and Hilton Head, extending spring break by one week. All online classes will continue as scheduled during that time.
Updates from the university can be found on its website.
HOSPITALS
What should I do if I go to a local hospital for a fever or respiratory symptoms?
Beaufort Memorial Hospital and Express Care clinics are asking patients to call ahead if possible.
Patients are likely to receive rapid influenza and strep tests and, in some cases, may be asked to wait in their cars while the tests are administered and processed.
How Beaufort Co. hospitals are responding to coronavirus spread in South Carolina
Do I have coronavirus symptoms?
Medical University of South Carolina and Prisma Health are offering free online visits for anyone experiencing coronavirus symptoms such as coughing, fever or shortness of breath.
Both organizations will screen patients via online tools to decide if a test is needed.
To use Medical University of South Carolina Health’s service in Charleston visit https://campaigns.muschealth.org/virtual-care/index.html.
Prisma’s tool can be found at https://www.palmettohealth.org/medical-services/other-services/smartexam
Visit Beaufort Memorial’s website at www.beaufortmemorial.org/coronavirus for more information or email healthupdates@bmhsc.org.
Can I get tested locally?
All testing must be done in conjunction with South Carolina’s Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Local urgent care and emergency rooms do not have tests on site and urge people with symptoms to isolate themselves and call to coordinate testing. If you are showing symptoms, you should call your doctor.
DHEC has the capacity to test between 80 and 100 people per day, according to the agency.
EVENTS
What about St. Patrick’s Day events this weekend?
On Thursday afternoon, town and parade officials canceled the 37th annual Hilton Head St. Patrick’s. Day parade.
The Beaufort festival will still take place on Saturday, according to information posted on the event’s Facebook page Thursday morning.
Savannah has postponed all of this weekend’s events and the Tuesday parade. A new date has yet to be determined.
Is RBC Heritage presented by Boeing PGA Tour going to be canceled?
The annual Hilton Head golf tournament was still on as of Friday afternoon, but other major golf events are being canceled or postponed. Right now, Heritage is scheduled for April 13-19. Steve Wilmot, the tournament’s director, said his staff is in daily contact with health officials and PGA Tour to determine the best way to go.
Late Thursday, PGA Tour announced that it would cancel all golf tournaments through at least April 5, which include all of the tournaments leading up to the Masters. Friday morning, Masters chairman Fred Ridley said the tournament would be postponed.
What other cancellations have happened?
▪ Beaufort County has canceled out-of-state travel related to county business for employees. Friday afternoon, county administrator Ashley Jacobs said there are no plans to close county offices or have employees work from home, but if the Beaufort County School District closes, the county will too.
▪ Beaufort County libraries are open, but the Bookmobile service is suspended.
▪ Hilton Head Wine & Food Festival moved its March 13 event outdoors. The March 14 public tasting has been postponed.
▪ Hilton Head Wingfest was originally scheduled for March 21, but has been postponed to May 2.
▪ TedxHiltonHead canceled its March 14 event.
▪ Special Olympics South Carolina canceled all events and practices across the state until March 31, as well as state competitions, including the state cheer competitions on April 25.
▪ Hilton Head Choral Society has ceased rehearsals and postponed its spring concert that was planned for March 27.
▪ All performances of Cirque du Soleil’s show scheduled for April 8-12 in Savannah have been canceled.
▪ The Savannah Music Festival canceled the entire 2020 festival, which was scheduled for March 26 to April 11.
CHURCHES
Will there still be Sunday service?
It appears churches in Beaufort County are holding regular services while taking some precautions, such as giving communion only by hand and removing hymnals or other items that a lot of people might touch.
SENIOR LIVING HOMES
What steps are assisted living and skilled nursing facilities taking to protect elderly patients and residents?
Many facilities are restricting visits from family and friends, as well as screening employees.
MILITARY BASES
Are recruits at Parris Island being affected?
Yes. All activities, including Friday’s graduation ceremony, have been canceled. “Future graduations will remain closed to the public until further notice,” a statement from the depot said.
As a precautionary measure, preliminary screen has been implemented for recruits upon arrival the the U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Deport Parris Island
Is the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort operating as normal?
The base is in “HPCON ALPHA.” It is taking routine health precaution as is operating as usual.
Can I still go to the Naval Hospital Beaufort?
Yes, but anyone who thinks they have coronavirus symptoms or suspects they may have had contact with someone who does should call 843-228-5200 to be directed to a nurse’s advice line before getting to the hospital. The hospital’s website advises users to find guidance on coronavirus from Tricare, which provides health coverage for military members and dependents.
Hunting Island State Park
Can I go camping and to the beach at Hunting Island?
Yes. The state park is operating under normal circumstances and hours. Although it has seen a slight increase in camping cancellations, everything else is business as usual.
AIRPORTS/TRAVEL
Can I still fly through the Hilton Head Island Airport or Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport?
Yes. Both airports are operating as usual. They are taking extra cleaning precautions.
BUSINESSES
Why are some shelves empty in local stores?
Folks are “panic buying” lots of toilet paper and other items such as liquid hand soap and sanitizer. Stores are trying to keep up with the high demand.
Is the pandemic affecting local businesses?
Somewhat. Some hotels are reporting cancellations due to COVID-19 fears while local businesses near Coligny Beach say they’re more concerned about what the next few weeks will bring as tourists’ travel plans may change. Publix announced via Twitter on March 13 that all of its grocery stores will close at 8 p.m. until further notice to allow for further sanitation and restocking.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
The coronavirus is spreading in the United States. Officials are urging people to take precautions to avoid getting sick, and to avoid spreading the disease if they do contract it.
Click the drop-down icon on this card for more on the virus and what you should do to keep yourself and those around you healthy.
What is coronavirus?
Coronavirus is an infection of the respiratory system similar to the flu. Coronaviruses are a class of viruses that regularly cause illnesses among adults and children, but this outbreak has spawned a new disease called COVID-19, a particularly harsh respiratory condition that can lead to death.
Health officials believe COVID-19 spread from animals to humans somewhere in China. It spreads among humans by physical person-to-person contact, including via coughs. That’s why health officials urge sick individuals to avoid contact with other people.
For more information, visit the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms are similar to the flu and include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
How can I stop the spread of the coronavirus?
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
If you develop symptoms similar to the coronavirus, you should seek medical attention. Stay home from work or school and avoid contact with others. It can take up to 14 days after coming into contact with the virus to develop symptoms.
COVID-19 is a new condition and there’s much about the disease we still don’t understand. For now, taking precautions is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
This story was originally published March 12, 2020 at 11:15 AM.
