Horry County sees first patient death from coronavirus
Horry County saw its first death from coronavirus this week, though state officials have been mum on many details about the victim.
South Carolina’s Department of Health and Environmental Control announced Tuesday evening that a person in Horry County died from the COVID-19 disease. The location where the person died was not provided.
The victim’s name has not been released.
Health officials said that the person was elderly and had no underlying health conditions.
While state officials have refused to release many details about those who test positive, that could soon change. There is a proposal to tell certain groups about the number of positive tests by zip code.
As of midday Wednesday, seven people have died in South Carolina from coronavirus. The other most recent death was in Florence County.
Horry County has had 19 people test positive for coronavirus, according to the latest figures from DHEC. The first patient tested positive for coronavirus in Horry County on March 15.
South Carolina has had nearly 350 positive tests and 2,100 negative tests across the state, according to DHEC figures.
There are more than 54,000 cases and 747 deaths across the U.S. from COVID-19.
While some states and cities have gone to “shelter in place” or “no leave” orders, South Carolina has resisted that push. South Carolinians are still allowed to head out in public and to the grocery store, though officials in Myrtle Beach and across the state urge people to practice social distancing.
People should wash their hands frequently, avoid close contact with others and if they feel ill stay home and contact a doctor.
Police officers have also been ordered to break-up spontaneous gatherings of more than three people. That order does not cover workplaces or a family going for an evening walk, for example.
This story was originally published March 24, 2020 at 7:43 PM.
