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As reopening begins, COVID cases surge in Columbus, climb in Horry

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By DEUCE NIVEN

tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com

     As COVID-19 testing picks up, and economic re-opening efforts begin in North Carolina, and are enhanced in South Carolina, eleven residents of Columbus County, five in Horry, have been newly tested positive for the coronavirus, officials said Saturday.

     This post will cover these topics and may be updated:

  • COVID case count jumps by 11 in Columbus
  • Five more Horry residents infected with coronavirus

COVID case count jumps by 11 in Columbus

     Columbus County’s COVID-19 case count leap-frogged past 200 on Saturday, with an additional 11 people confirmed infected with the coronavirus, the Columbus County Health Department reported.

     “Five of the new cases are connected to a family gathering, three of the cases are connected to positive family members living in the same household, one is connected to a congregate living facility in Columbus County, and the source of infection could not be found for two cases,” a health department news release said.

     Six of the new cases appeared to be Chadbourn area residents, Zip Code data from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services indicated, that total up from 27 to 33 Friday. Whiteville’s total was up by two Saturday, Tabor City and Cerro Gordo each up by one.

     Tabor City’s total rose to 57 cases with two deaths, the Zip Code data showed.

     Thirteen COVID-19 related deaths have been recorded in Columbus County, two who died Thursday.

     “With the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths continuing to rise in Columbus County, we are asking the public to take the necessary measures to stop the transmission of COVID-19,” the health department 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

     NC TOTALS: Statewide there are 14,360 confirmed COVID-19 cases in 99 North Carolina counties Saturday, up by 544 from Friday, the DHHS reported. There were 544 North Carolina deaths attributed to COVID-19 Saturday, 29 more than Friday; with 513 current hospitalizations, that number down by two from the day before.

     CC Health Updates: 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.

Five more Horry residents infected with coronavirus

     Five more people in Horry County have been confirmed with COVID-19, one in the Loris Zip Code, South Carolina’s Department of Health and Environmental Control reported Saturday.

     With the latest report Horry County has recorded 256 people testing positive for the disease since the pandemic began and 18 deaths.

     Zip Code data shows 27 of those cases in the Loris Zip Code, one in the Green Sea area.

     Statewide there have been 7,531 positive tests returned for COVID-19 in South Carolina, up by 168 from Friday; with 330 related deaths, that number up by ten 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