Tabor Commons’ COVID outbreak closed, Horry records 130 new cases, just 8 for Columbus

By DEUCE NIVEN

tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com

     A COVID-19 pandemic chapter has ended at Tabor Commons Assisted Living in Tabor City, with just eight new coronavirus infections for Columbus County recorded Tuesday, another 130 case jump in Horry.

     This post will cover these topics and may be updated:

• Brighter days: Tabor Commons’ COVID outbreak closed
• Another 130 cases in Horry
• Just eight new infections for Columbus

Brighter days: Tabor Commons’ COVID outbreak closed

     Lauren Reavis Ware’s smile was almost visible over the telephone, just minutes after state health data reported a COVID-19 outbreak at Tabor Commons Assisted Living now officially ended.

     “It’s excellent news,” Ware said. “We are so, so thankful to everyone in the community. We had several churches in the community, and others, that supported us.”

     It’s been more than a month since the last COVID case at the facility was reported, in late May. For residents, their families, and staff at Tabor Commons, that marked a welcome relief to a grueling two months that began in late April, when what initially appeared to be a small outbreak exploded as every resident and staff member was tested.

     Thirty-eight residents tested positive in that first round of testing, including the few initially sick. Two staff members also carried the coronavirus, though neither had shown symptoms, Ware said at the time. Before the outbreak ended, a total of five staff members would be infected.

     There was a steady climb in the case count, and by May 8, two residents had died, the first of ten the disease would claim. A total of 52 residents would test positive for COVID-19 during the outbreak.

     “These have been very trying times,” Ware said. “Very stressful working situations for the staff, so much to do, so much extra to be done.

     “It’s been hard for everyone. We’re just thankful that everybody now is health, and we hope it stays that way. We know the pandemic isn’t over.”

     Meanwhile, across the border at Loris Rehab and Nursing Center the COVID-19 outbreak has not ended, but its pace has slowed dramatically in recent weeks.

     A single newly infected resident there reported by South Carolina’s Department of Health and Environmental Control on July 3 brought its pandemic total to 57 residents and 26 staff members, with 12 residents who have died, the most recent reported June 23.

     Look for more on this story in Wednesday’s Tabor-Loris Tribune in print and online.

Another 130 cases in Horry

     Another 130 Horry County residents have tested positive for COVID-19, Tuesday’s data from South Carolina’s Department of Health and Environmental Control showed.

     With the new cases the county has recorded 4,845 COVID infections during the pandemic, with 52 residents claimed by the disease.

     Zip Code data showed four of the new COVID cases in the Loris area, that total now 293, with Green Sea’s total of 19 set Monday.

     Statewide South Carolina has recorded 47,214 COVID confirmed cases since the pandemic began, an increase of 934 from Monday, with 838 people across the state who have died of the disease, 19 more than Monday.

     A total of 1,324 Palmetto State residents were reported hospitalized for coronavirus complications Tuesday, 64 more than the day before.

Just five new infections for Columbus

     Just five Columbus County residents have received positive COVID-19 test results in the past day, data from North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services shows.

     That brings to 570 the total DHHS is showing, though its data may not show some positive tests that have been re-assigned to other locations after investigations revealed some tested were not residents of the county.

     Zip Code data showed two of the newly confirmed cases in the Tabor City area, three in the Bolton area.

     Statewide: North Carolina’s pandemic total of COVID cases reached 75,875 Monday, up by 1,346 from Monday, with 1,420 people claimed by the virus, that up by 22 from the day before.

     DHHS data showed 989 of the state’s residents currently hospitalized with the coronavirus, 7 more than Monday.

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.