A COVID death in Horry, cases climb, some test results delayed
By DEUCE NIVEN
tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com
Another COVID-19 related death was reported in Horry County Saturday, additional cases there and in Columbus, as testing delays involving one vendor were revealed.
This post will cover these topics and may be updated:
- ‘Unforeseen circumstances’ blamed for Orig3n test delays
- Another COVID death in Horry, 48 more cases
- Seven new coronavirus infections in Columbus
‘Unforeseen circumstances’ blamed for Orig3n test delays
A delay in reporting of COVID-19 testing results from vendor Orig3n “due to unforeseen circumstances” has been reported by the Columbus County Health Department.
That delay, “of 3-4 business days,” involves tests given between Aug 7 and 12, a health department news release said.
Those tests will now be performed by the NC State Lab, with results expected in three to four business days, the news release said.
Local health department workers in partnership with the NC Department of Health and Human Services will be working “to ensure that everyone tested by Orig3n between 8/7/2020 and 8/12/2020 are contacted with their results,” the news release said.
Details are available from the Columbus County Health Department’s COVID-19 Call Center at 910-640- 6615 ext. 7045 or 7046 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.
Information regarding prevention, symptoms, reputable sources, and other important information is available on the regularly updated health department Facebook page here.
Another COVID death in Horry, 48 more cases
An elderly individual has become the 162nd Horry County resident to die of COVID-19 complications, data from South Carolina’s Department of Health and Environmental Control showed Saturday.
That death occurred Aug. 9, the DHEC data showed.
Another 48 Horry residents have tested positive for the coronavirus, the daily DHEC data showed, including two from the Loris Zip Code. That brings the county pandemic total to 8,802, Loris to 512, Green Sea steady at 35.
Statewide South Carolina reported 986 new COVID cases and 51 new deaths Saturday, the pandemic totals now 104,874 and 2,156 respectively.
There were 1,246 COVID patients being treated in South Carolina hospitals Saturday, that number down by 50 from Friday.
Seven new coronavirus infections in Columbus
Seven additional Columbus County residents have tested positive for COVID-19, state Department of Health and Human Services data showed Saturday.
Columbus County Health Department pandemic updates are released each Monday and Thursday, while the state data is posted to the agencies online dashboard daily.
There were no new deaths for the county in Saturday’s DHHS postings, that pandemic total 48 with 968 residents infected with the virus.
Zip Code data indicated four of the new cases in Whiteville, three at Hallsboro; one each in Clarendon, Nakina and Riegelwood, with one case taken from the Bolton total, possibly reassigned to another area.
North Carolina reported 1,536 new COVID infections and 30 additional related deaths Saturday, the pandemic total now 143,706 and 2,343 respectively.
Hospitalizations related to COVID-19 were down by 17 Saturday, the total now 1,032.
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.