Coronavirus live updates for March 24: The latest in the Myrtle Beach area
Confirmed cases of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, has reached at least 16 in Horry County as of Tuesday, health officials say.
South Carolina has 298 cases of the virus, with five confirmed deaths. There have been no deaths in Horry County related to the coronavirus as of Tuesday morning.
Georgetown County had its first two confirmed cases announced Monday.
Here are live updates on the coronavirus impacts on the Grand Strand for March 24.
Schools and dine-in services at restaurants and bars remain closed due to an order made last week by S.C. Governor Henry McMaster. Many Myrtle Beach-area restaurants are offering delivery and curbside pick-up services, and now customers may add alcohol to those orders.
The Horry County Fair is the latest local event to be rescheduled. The Myrtle Beach Speedway is also postponing upcoming events.
Today’s takeaways:
- Four additional cases of the coronavirus were confirmed Monday in Horry County. Here’s where to follow the number of cases in South Carolina and see the breakdown by county.
At least six golf courses in the Myrtle Beach market have temporarily closed for reasons related to the coronavirus: Arcadian Shores Golf Club, Aberdeen Country Club, Colonial Charters Golf Club, Founders Club at Pawleys Island, the Hackler Course at Coastal Carolina, and Members Club at Grande Dunes.
- Burgess Elementary School faculty and staff drove by students’ homes Monday to say hello as students are practicing distance learning. During the driving tour of their community, staff waved, honked and cheered on kids from a safe distance inside their decorated cars.
- Gov. Henry McMaster announced a new measure Monday that gives law enforcement more discretion to break up groups of three people or more.
- Coast RTA announced Monday service reductions due to “significantly lower ridership in recent weeks.” Here’s where to track rides.
- The City of North Myrtle Beach Easter egg hunt is canceled. The egg hunt was originally scheduled for April 11.
McMaster and the state’s Education Superintendent on Tuesday announced Horry County Schools, and all other public schools in the state, will remain closed until the end of April while efforts to contain COVID-19 cases continue.
Palmetto Goodwill announced all of its 31 S.C. stores will be closed until April 13. Donations will still be collected through bins at the facilities, though no personnel will be on hand. The Grand Strand has six Goodwill stores, one in Murrells Inlet, three in Myrtle Beach (one near Surfside/Socastee, one in Carolina Forest and another on the north end), one in Conway and another in Longs.
Cooped up with kids? Here are a few ways to get their creative minds into some art or places to go outdoors while practicing social distancing.
Check out this happy couple’s story. These newlyweds had their ceremony at the Myrtle Beach State Park pier Monday morning.
Wash your hands!
Here’s your daily reminder to wash your hands. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Avoid touching your face with unclean hands, the CDC recommends. If you are sick, stay home unless you are going to receive medical care, according to the CDC. Avoid close contact with those who are sick, the CDC recommends.
Need a smile? Check out these folks having a laugh while playing “Hungry Hippo.”
This story was originally published March 24, 2020 at 11:51 AM.
