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Fifth COVID-19 death in Horry, three new cases in Columbus Sunday

By DEUCE NIVEN

tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com

     A fifth death resulting from a coronavirus COVID-19 infection was reported in Horry County Sunday afternoon, after three new cases of the disease were reported in Columbus County earlier in the day.

     Meanwhile, a new focus on COVID-19 related enforcement was announced by the Loris Police Department Sunday.

     This post will covers these topics and will be updated as events warrant:

  • Fifth COVID-19 death in Horry, one new case
  • Three new COVID-19 case confirmed in Columbus, total now nine
  • LPD to begin COVID-19 patrols Monday

Fifth COVID-19 death in Horry, one new case

     A fifth COVID-19 related death in Horry County was reported by the South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control Sunday afternoon, with one new case of the disease since Sunday.

     Two of four new COVID-19 deaths in South Carolina, including the one in Horry, were elderly individuals with underlying health conditions. The other South Carolina deaths included a middle-aged individual with underlying health conditions, and a fourth that is still under investigation.

     With a dozen new COVID-19 cases in Horry County reported Saturday, the single case reported Sunday appeared to be a bright spot in a grim period, with the total number of confirmed cases in the county hitting 64 Sunday.

     A Zip Code breakdown provided by DHEC showed three of the Horry cases in the Loris area, one in the Green Sea zip code.

Three new COVID-19 case confirmed in Columbus, total now nine

     Three additional COVID-19 cases in Columbus County were confirmed Sunday, two in the morning, a third after 2 p.m., bringing the total to nine.

     “This case is not directly linked with any of the previous cases and is linked with community transmission,” a Columbus County Health Department news release said of the ninth case. “The individual is recovering at home.”

     Two cases confirmed in Columbus Sunday morning, the seventh and eighth in eight days, appeared to be related to a previous case confirmed in the past week, a news release said.

     “The individuals are recovering without hospitalization,” the news release said. “The Columbus County Health Department will follow CDC guidelines to protect public health and limit the spread of infection.

     “Based on information provided by the individual, county public health officials will assess risks of exposure, and determine which, if any, additional measures are needed such as temperature and symptom checks, quarantine and/or testing.

     “We urge the public to take the necessary measures to stop the community transmission of COVID-19.”

     Regularly updated information from the Columbus County Health Department is available on its Facebook page here.

     Columbus County Health Department’s COVID-19 Call Center is also operating from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Call 910-640-6615 ext. 7045 or 7046.

LPD to begin COVID-19 patrols Monday

     With a second round of government ordered business closings across South Carolina to begin Monday, the Loris Police Department is making plans for enhanced patrols to ensure both compliance and public safety, a post on the agencies Facebook page said Sunday.

     Beginning Monday “we will have officers out patrolling the businesses to be sure that everyone’s businesses stay safe as possible,” the post said. “We will also be checking to make sure that everyone is following the governors orders.

     “We ask if you decide to do curbside pickups that you do not allow vehicles to block any roadways so that traffic continues to flow naturally.”

     With a note that the LPD considers all local businesses “essential” the post said the department “can’t imagine how hard this Pandemic has been on you and other businesses. We have to trust that the State is doing what they deem is best for the citizens of South Carolina, and continue to pray that this Pandemic quickly passes and becomes merely a line in the history books.”

     Any business owner or operator with questions is encouraged to contact the Loris Police Department.

Updates

     Look for continuing coverage on local impacts from the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak here and in the Tabor-Loris Tribune in print and online.