Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on March 17
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
New cases
Another 14 cases of coronavirus have been identified, bringing South Carolina’s total reported cases up to 47 as of Tuesday afternoon, according to The State.
Hospital transition
Prisma Health is converting its North Greenville Hospital into a dedicated coronavirus treatment center, the company announced Tuesday.
Patients were moved from the hospital to other nearby facilities, and workers are currently modifying the building to accommodate a large number of COVID-19 patients, according to The State.
Prisma officials described the move as a precautionary measure.
“We hope it’s not needed, but we want it to be available if we see that it’s necessary,” one official said.
Evictions halted
All evictions have been halted across South Carolina until May 1 in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
S.C. Chief Justice Don Beatty made the order Tuesday, saying eviction proceedings are on hold, except for cases the involve “essential services and/or harm to person or property,” according to The State.
Hospital restrictions
South Carolina hospitals are putting in place additional restrictions and precautions.
MUSC Health is closing off some entrances to the facility and tightening visitation rules, starting Tuesday.
Trident Medical Center is now screening anybody who enters the building, and Roper St. Francis is screening all visitors.
Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System is asking visitors to simply stay away from its hospitals and nursing homes. For those who can’t stay away, facilities are allowing a maximum of one visitor at a time, provided they are a designated partner or primary caregiver.
First death reported
South Carolina recorded its first death from COVID-19 on Monday, public health officials said.
The man who died was had been living in a nursing home in Lexington. He had no known exposure to other cases of the coronavirus, according to the state Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Latest cases
South Carolina has at least 33 reported cases of COVID-19, according to health officials.
Almost 183,000 cases of the COVID-19 virus have been confirmed worldwide with more than 7,100 deaths as of March 17, according to Johns Hopkins University. The United States has more than 4,600 confirmed cases with at least 85 deaths.
Cities declare emergencies
City leaders in Columbia and Charleston declared states of emergency on Monday, two days after Myrtle Beach.
The declarations are intended to limit people’s contact to slow the spread of the virus.
Columbia’s declaration puts restrictions on restaurants and bars, limiting six people to each table and requiring six feet between tables.
“This is unlike anything we’ve ever seen before, unlike anything this country has seen in 100 years,” Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin said.
On Monday, President Donald Trump urged everyone in the country to limit gatherings to no more than 10 people, stop all but essential travel and avoid restaurants and bars for the next 15 days in an effort to slow the virus.
Jury trials will wait
Jury trials in state and federal courts around South Carolina are being postponed for now.
Ordering all federal jury trials for civil and criminal cases be put on hold, Chief U.S. District Judge Bryan Harwell said it was important “to protect public health and reduce the size of public gatherings and unnecessary travel.”
This story was originally published March 17, 2020 at 7:08 AM with the headline "Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on March 17."
