Store distancing order in NC; Horry COVID-19 count tops 100

By DEUCE NIVEN

tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com

By DEUCE NIVEN

tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com

 

     New social distancing regulations, effective at 5 p.m. Monday, are among the areas targeted in a new Executive Order announced by Gov. Roy Cooper Thursday.

     As the North Carolina governor spoke data released by South Carolina’s Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) showed Horry County with eight newly confirmed COVID-19, bringing that total to 106.

     This post will cover these topics and will be updated:

• Store distancing order effective Monday
• With eight new cases Horry COVID-19 count at 106
• Three new COVID-19 cases as Columbus total hits 20
• WIC services will be available by phone in SC

Store distancing order

     After discussing for two days the need for increased social distancing requirements inside retail stores left operating after previous Executive Orders closed many, Gov. Cooper said the new order, effective at 5 p.m. Monday, “should make shopping safer for customers and retail employees.

     Key impacts of the order, the governor said, include:

• Retails stores may allow no more than 20 percent of the stated fire code capacity in retail stores at one time, or a maximum of 5 people for every 1,000 square feet of floor space.
• Hand sanitizer must be made available to retail store customers.
• Special hours for elderly customers must be provided
• Screens or clear barriers must be in place at check-out carriers and other locations where customers and staff interact.

     Violating the order is a Class 2 misdemeanor, Gov. Cooper said, with local law enforcement empowered to issue citations.

     “I expect all of the retails stores that are open to abide by this order,” Gov. Cooper said. “We know that when people are bunched up together, that the virus can be transmitted.”

     Those who need to obtain essential items, from grocery stores, pharmacies, and other businesses, should limit the number of family members visiting those businesses and shop responsibly, Cooper said.

     “Buy what you need,” he said. “The food supply chain is good. Get in and get out as quickly as possible.”

     Gov. Cooper’s orders also establishes “mandatory protective measures for nursing homes” that are also regulations for other group homes including rest homes and extended care facilities; and provides “new measures” designed to get unemployment claims processed more quickly.

     See the full executive order here.

Horry COVID-19 count at 106

     Horry County’s latest COVID-19 case count did not include any new deaths, but added eight new patients from the 98 reported Wednesday, bringing that total to 106.

     A Zip Code breakdown of coronavirus cases in Horry showed stable numbers again, for two local communities, with three cases in the Loris area, one in the Green Sea Zip Code.

     There have been seven confirmed COVID-19 cases in Horry County today.

     Statewide 2,792 people in South Carolina have tested positive for the disease, with 67 deaths.

Three new COVID-19 cases in Columbus

     Columbus County’s latest confirmed cases are all “doing well and recovering at home,” a Columbus County Health Department news release said. “Investigation found that, one case was connected to a known positive individual and the source of infection is unknown for the other two cases.

     “The Columbus County Health Department will continue to follow CDC guidelines to protect public health and limit the spread of infection. Based on information provided by the individuals, 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.”

     Health department leaders continue to urge everyone to take steps to stop community transmission of the coronavirus.

     Recommended measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the news release said, include:

• Social distancing (e.g. avoiding crowds, self-quarantining, etc.)
• Washing hands frequently with soap and water, and for at least 20 seconds each time
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid close contact with people who are ill
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, throw it away, and then wash your hands
• Do not reuse tissue after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose
• Clean and disinfect surfaces

     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.

WIC services will be available by phone in SC

     All Women Infant and Children (WIC) nutrition services will be issued remotely in South Carolina beginning Monday, the state’s Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) announced Thursday.

     “We recognize that many South Carolinian families are facing hardships during this time,” said South Carolina State WIC Director Berry Kelly. “TEAM WIC has done an amazing job making WIC services available by phone. Thanks to their commitment and dedication, we are able to ensure that our WIC moms and babies continue to have access to nutritional foods and health services.”

     To help address WIC product shortages that have occurred due to COVID-19, WIC participants may now also choose from expanded options in a variety of food categories, an agency news release said. To see what is currently available visit here.

     “We encourage South Carolina families who are experiencing loss of income related to COVID-19 to apply to our WIC program,” Berry said.

     To apply for WIC, call 1-855-472-3432 to make an appointment. Current WIC participants with questions or concerns should contact their local WIC office.

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.