Three people test positive for coronavirus in Beaufort County
On Saturday afternoon the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control announced three people in Beaufort County are in isolation while under investigation as possible cases of coronavirus.
All three tested positive for the virus, a DHEC spokesperson said in an email. Two individuals had known exposure to a confirmed case from another state, said a news release. The other person recently traveled internationally and has no known connection to the other two people.
All three people are in isolation at home, according to the release.
DHEC declined to release any identifying information, including age and place of residence, for the three cases.
DHEC put the total number of cases statewide at 19. Thirteen had tested positive for COVID-19 in South Carolina as of Friday, according to a news release.
Gov. Henry McMaster ordered a state of emergency in the state on Friday and closed schools in Lancaster and Kershaw counties for two weeks, citing evidence of community spread of the virus. On Saturday McMaster’s office announced that the S.C. Board of Medical Examiners and Board of Nursing are expediting temporary licenses for out-of-state medical professionals, according to a news release.
Local leaders warn residents
State Sen. Tom Davis, R-Beaufort, urged residents to follow best practices to curb the spread of COVID-19, including hand washing, maintaining personal distance from others and staying home from work in the case of illness.
“We should just focus on what we can take care of,” he said. Asked about next steps in Beaufort County, Davis said he supports McMaster’s request that lawmakers appropriate $45 million from the state’s emergency reserve fund for DHEC.
“I do caution our elderly and those who are susceptible to the virus,” said State Rep. Bill Herbkersman, R-Beaufort.
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is advising residents who think they may have been exposed to the coronavirus or are exhibiting symptoms to contact their primary care provider or call the DHEC line at (855) 472-3432.
Beaufort County schools scheduling announcement to come Sunday
In an email to parents sent Saturday evening, the Beaufort County School District said none of the three COVID-19 cases involves a district student or employee.
Superintendent Frank Rodriguez is consulting with DHEC, the governor’s office and S.C. Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman, according to the email. There will be an announcement made Sunday about school schedules in the district.
As of Saturday evening, there has been no announcement of school closures.
The email urged families to “stay safe” by following DHEC guidance.
Further restrictions at area hospital
Beaufort Memorial Hospital has opened a drive-thru testing facility to collect specimens from patients with a doctor’s order. Four of its staff members remain in quarantine pending testing results after coming in contact with two people who were possibly exposed to the virus.
Courtney McDermott, director of marketing and communications for the hospital, would not confirm if the three patients who tested positive for coronavirus had contact with Beaufort Memorial.
On Saturday following DHEC’s announcement of the new cases, the hospital announced further visitor restrictions aimed at curbing spread of COVID-19. They include:
- Limiting patient visitation to immediate family members over the age of 18
- Restricting visitors to one per patient and prohibiting group visits
- Prohibiting visitors with symptoms of the virus in patient care areas
Hospital officials are encouraging patients to use electronic means of contact.
“Given the rapidly evolving nature of this pandemic we ask for patience and cooperation as we work to provide the best care possible to our patients,” said Beaufort Memorial Hospital President and CEO Russell Baxley in the release.
A spokesperson for Tenet Healthcare, which operates Hilton Head Hospital and Coastal Carolina Hospital in Hardeeville, would not say if the patients who tested positive for the coronavirus had contact with the two medical facilities. The hospitals also have instituted visitation restrictions.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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 14, 2020 at 4:26 PM.
