COVID deaths, cases rise in Columbus, Horry, local care facilities
By DEUCE NIVEN
tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com
COVID-19 continues to take lives in Columbus and Horry counties as the numbers of newly infected residents also climbs in the community and in congregate care facilities.
This post will cover these topics and may be updated:
- With seven new cases, Columbus COVID count is 330
- Coronavirus claims 25th Horry resident, cases hit 410
- Tenth death at Tabor Commons, eight more Loris Rehab staffers infected
With seven new cases, Columbus COVID count is 330
Seven more Columbus County residents have been laboratory confirmed as infected with COVID-19, the county health department reported Friday, bringing the total to 330 since the pandemic began.
“Five of the new cases are connected to positive family members, one of the cases is still under investigation, and the source of infection could not be found for one case,” the health department reported.
COVID-19 has claimed 26 Columbus residents, the most recent to die reported Thursday.
By Zip Code: Whiteville recorded a new COVID related death, DHHS dashboard data showed Friday, with one additional infection each reported in four Zip Codes.
Those areas, and their new total cases, include Tabor City, 83; Chadbourn, 60; Whiteville, 82; and Riegelwood, five.
Prevention: “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.
Recommended measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 include:
- 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 26,488 confirmed COVID-19 cases in 100 North Carolina counties Friday, up by 1,078 from Thursday, the DHHS reported.
There were 859 North Carolina deaths attributed to COVID-19 Friday, 32 more than Thursday; with 680 current hospitalizations, that number down by 28 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.
Coronavirus claims 25th Horry resident, cases hit 410
Another Horry County resident has died from COVID-19 complications, 14 more have tested positive for the coronavirus, half of those in the Loris Zip Code, South Carolina’s Department of Health and Environmental Control reported Friday.
To date the pandemic has officially claimed 25 lives in Horry County, where 410 residents have been confirmed infected by the disease, the DHEC website showed Friday.
Zip Code data reported by DHEC showed the Loris area with 85 confirmed COVID cases, seven more than Thursday, Green Sea with five, unchanged from recent days.
Statewide there have been 11,131 positive tests returned for COVID-19 in South Carolina, up by 343 from Thursday; with 483 related deaths, that number up by 13 from Thursday.
Tenth death at Tabor Commons, fourth at Loris Rehab where eight more staffers infected
A tenth resident at Tabor Commons Assisted Living has died from COVID-19 complications, a fourth at Loris Rehab and Nursing Center, reports from state agencies showed Friday.
At Loris Rehab three additional residents and eight more staff members have also tested positive for the coronavirus, South Carolina’s Department of Health and Environmental Control reported. That makes 41 residents and 15 Loris Rehab staff members confirmed as infected with the disease.
At Tabor Commons 52 residents have tested positive for COVID-19, two newly confirmed since Tuesday, North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services reported.
Elsewhere in Columbus County Liberty Commons Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Whiteville recorded a third staff member confirmed with the disease in Friday’s DHHS report. Twelve residents have previously been confirmed with the coronavirus, two have died.
At Premier Living & Rehab Center in Lake Waccamaw a 20th resident is newly confirmed with COVID-19. Eight staff members have previously tested positive, and the coronavirus has claimed four resident lives there.
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.
