Beaufort County events were being canceled Tuesday as coronavirus cases rose to nine in in South Carolina.

Seven people have presumptively tested positive for coronavirus, S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control officials have said. Two additional cases have been confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. None of the individuals is in Beaufort County.

It takes the CDC up to 48 hours to confirm samples sent by state and healthcare professionals, DHEC says.

COVID-19 is a specific disease from the coronavirus family, which also causes the common cold and more severe illnesses such as SARS and MERS.

DHEC is spearheading the information and testing campaigns throughout the state, and has launched a website with resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What we know about the COVID-19 cases

DHEC officials have released few details about the individuals who have tested positive for the virus. Here are the cases and the information the agency has acknowledged as of Tuesday afternoon.

• An “older” Camden man, who is self quarantined after testing positive. He previously came in contact with someone who tested positive.
• A Camden woman in her 80s, along with two people who had been in close contact with her.
• A Camden man who had no contact with the woman.
• A Spartanburg County man who recently traveled to Italy.
• A Charleston woman in her 30s who recently traveled to Italy and France and is affiliated with the Medical University of South Carolina.
• Two Camden residents, two cases announced Tuesday who are household contacts of someone who previously tested positive.

The state has tested a total of 41 individuals for COVID-19, which includes the seven presumptive positive and two confirmed cases. Thirty-two of the tests were negative.

While state health officials have said there is evidence of community spread, the average person has no reason to panic.

The CDC describes people at higher risk as older adults and anyone with a serious chronic medical condition, such as heart disease, diabetes and lung disease.

It recommends that anyone in the “higher risk” category stock up on supplies, maintain a distance of 6 feet to others, keep away from anyone who is sick, avoid crowds as much as possible, as well as cruise travel and non-essential air travel.

“During the COVID-19 outbreak in your community, stay home as much as possible to further reduce your risk of being exposed,” the CDC website says.

Beaufort County events

While two major Hilton Head events remain scheduled — The St. Patrick’s Day Parade and The RBC Heritage — other event organizers have canceled.

Special Olympics South Carolina has canceled all events and practices across the state until March 31, as well as state competitions, including the state cheer competition on April 25.

“We do not make these decisions lightly,” a press release says. “Canceling events has a huge impact on more than 30,000 children and adults in our programs, as well as thousands of coaches, volunteers, Unified Partners and family members.”

TedxHiltonHead canceled its March 14 event in an abundance of caution last week, ahead of any viruses being reported in the state.

The Hilton Head Choral Society announced it would cease rehearsals and postpone its spring concert planned for March 27.

What is happening on Hilton Head Island?

Hilton Head Town Manager Steve Riley said the town is working on protocol changes for its EMS services.

This includes dedicating one ambulance to 911 calls for patients with flu-like symptoms.

The change means fewer employees will be exposed to potential cases, and fewer supplies, such as masks, will be used, he said.

Town officials are also keeping in touch with Hilton Head Hospital and other health care providers, Riley said.

A Hilton Head man, who recently traveled to the United Kingdom and feared he might have the virus, complained about Hilton Head Hospital’s response to his request for a coronavirus test last week.

Alan Poulter, 70, still has not been tested, but his girlfriend was tested by her employer — Beaufort Memorial Hospital — and confirmed negative on Friday. Poulter said the Beaufort hospital is treating her for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).

RSV is a common respiratory virus that can cause serious complications in the very young and older population, according to CDC.

While some airlines are reducing routes, Hilton Head Airport hasn’t seen any changes, the airport’s director Jon Rembold, said Tuesday afternoon.

“It is business as normal,” Rembold said.

Savannah Hilton Head International Airport also has not seen any flight cancellations, Lori Lynah, director of marketing and air service development, said via email Tuesday.

She noted any airline schedule changes are not immediate but for April and beyond.

The restaurant industry on the island doesn’t seem to be seeing a significant impact as well.

Andrew Carmines, owner of Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks, said Tuesday that people are talking about coronavirus but business feels normal for the time of year.

It is a waiting game, similar to a hurricane, Carmines said. He said staff has been trained on safety practices such as food-preparation gloves and hand-washing.

“It is always worse in your mind than what it plays out to be,” Carmines said. “If the worst-case scenario happens, then we will still get through it.”

Two things remain important, whether there is an emergency or a it is a normal day, Carmines said: “Do right by your employees, and do right by your customers, and you end up stronger as a result.”

Do you 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 MUSC Health’s service 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

Coronavirus questions

Do you have questions? Go to bit.ly.com/virusBeaufortCounty and fill out the form. We’ll try to find an answer for you.