Coronavirus live updates: Here’s the latest on the Grand Strand on March 17
Four cases of the coronavirus are confirmed on the Grand Strand, with the latest one at Tidelands Waccamaw Community Hospital in Murrells Inlet late Monday.
Health officials said the patient is in isolation at home while being treated. Officials have not released the age of the patient.
The three other cases confirmed over the weekend are elderly individuals, according to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Here are the latest Coronavirus updates in the Myrtle Beach area on March 17
Horry County Government announced Tuesday afternoon all offices will be closed to the public beginning Wednesday and until further notice, according to a release. The upcoming County Council meeting is also canceled. All county business should be done over the phone or online. A list directory of county employee’s phone numbers can be found online.
As of Tuesday morning, Georgetown County is the latest jurisdiction on the Strand to declare a state of emergency, canceling county board and commission meetings, with the exception of a Capital Project Sales Tax Commission meeting Tuesday.
Conway Medical Center’s visitor restriction plan went into place at 6 a.m., restricting visitors under 18 or over age 69. Hospital spokesperson Allyson Floyd said there are no confirmed cases of the virus at the facility as of Tuesday morning.
A spokesperson for Grand Strand Regional Medical Center said there are no updates as of 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Tidelands Health said as of Tuesday morning, there are no updates related to cases of the coronavirus.
Horry County Schools continues today its grab-and-go meals for students at 11 area schools. Students must be present in the vehicle to receive meals, and adult meals will not be provided, HCS said.
Meals will be served 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Wednesday’s bags will include a lunch and breakfast for the next day. Thursday’s grab-and-go meal will include a lunch, and one breakfast and lunch for Friday.
The Big M Casino boat in Little River has canceled through the end of the month.
“Based on President Trump’s advice we are taking precautionary action. The Big M Casino will temporarily shut down through March 31st, 2020,” the business stated in a Facebook post.
TopGolf Myrtle Beach announced on Facebook that it is closing indefinitely.
810 Market Common announced an indefinite closure Tuesday night.
All local Belk locations closed at 6 p.m. Tuesday and will remain closed through March 30.
How to prevent the spread
President Donald Trump has asked the nation to avoid gatherings of 10 or more people, according to his coronavirus guidelines issued Monday.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the virus likely spreads between people who are in close contact. To help prevent the spread of the virus, the CDC recommends people wash their hands often for at least 20 seconds with water and soap.
This story was originally published March 17, 2020 at 7:51 AM.
