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COVID cases slow in Columbus, pause in Horry, as they soar in NC

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By DEUCE NIVEN

tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com

     COVID-19 case counts rose just slightly in Columbus County on Saturday, not at all in Horry, while totals were up in the Carolinas, dramatically in North Carolina.

     This post will cover these topics and may be updated:

  • Columbus records two new COVID cases as state rate soars
  • Pandemic numbers unchanged in Horry Sat.

 Columbus records two new COVID cases as state rate soars

     There were conflicting trends statewide and locally in the coronavirus pandemic as two additional people with COVID-19 were confirmed by the Columbus County Health Department, ending a week with sharply higher infections and a rising death toll.

     Meanwhile infection totals from across North Carolina surged by nearly 600 on Saturday, a number state health leaders said was not unexpected as more widespread testing was being done.

     One of the two people identified as COVID infected in Columbus has been hospitalized, a county health department news release said, with the source of infection unknown for both cases.

     Ten Columbus County residents have died of COVID-19, the health department reported previously, the most recent on Friday.

     Statewide there are 11,509 confirmed COVID-19 cases in 98 North Carolina counties Saturday, up by 586 from Friday, the NC Department of Health and Human Services reported. There were 420 North Carolina deaths attributed to COVID-19 Saturday, 21 more than Friday; with 502 current hospitalizations, that number down by 45 from the day before.

     “With the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths continuing to rise in Columbus County, we are BEGGING the public to take the necessary measures to stop the transmission of COVID-19,” the news release said. “The Columbus County Health Department would like to remind everyone of the recommended measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which are:

  • Social distancing (e.g. avoiding crowds, self-quarantining, no mass gatherings, only going out in public when necessary)
  • Wearing a mask or face covering when in public places
  • 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

     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.

Pandemic numbers unchanged in Horry Sat.

     COVID-19 numbers in Horry County were unchanged Saturday from Friday, South Carolina’s Department of Health and Environmental Control reported Saturday.

     A total of 223 residents of Horry County have been tested and confirmed positive for COVID-19, DHEC has reported, with 16 deaths, the most recent on Friday.

     Zip Code data released by DHEC has shown 18 cases in the Loris area, just one in the Green Sea Zip Code.

     Statewide there have been 6,489 positive tests returned for COVID-19 in South Carolina, up by 231 from Friday; with 269 related deaths, that number up by 11 from Friday.

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.

Posted in News, Upfront News