Live updates on Coronavirus in Myrtle Beach: The latest news for March 26
Coronavirus continues to bring Horry County and all of the Grand Strand to a halt as case totals and unemployment numbers rise.
Horry County has 20 confirmed coronavirus cases and one death reported.
The area also led the state in unemployment claims filed this week with more than 5,000 claims. South Carolina saw a 1,600 percent increase in unemployment initial claims this week.
Hoteliers are hurting, as occupancy rates in the Myrtle Beach area fell to 26 percent last week through Saturday night, dropping 55.5 percent compared to the same week in 2019, according to the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism. Weekend occupancy was down 76 percent compared to last year at 21 percent.
Hotels in South Carolina were down 47.7 percent last week at 36.5 percent occupancy, and SCPRT director Duane Parrish said during a conference call Wednesday that statewide hotel occupancy is averaging about 15 percent this week.
The SCPRT’s statistics are based on a weekly report it receives from STR Inc., a Tennessee-based company that tracks supply and demand data for industries including hotels. The numbers do not include short-term rentals through businesses that rent privately-owned residences such as Airbnb and VRBO.
While case numbers continue to rise, here is a round-up of information you need to know for March 26.
- Myrtle Beach City Council held an emergency meeting at 1:30 p.m. today. City leaders voted on orders to close hotels, amusement attractions and require short-term tourists leave the city. In addition, city council meetings will be held remotely moving forward.
- North Myrtle Beach held an unannounced emergency meeting and voted to ban all short-term rentals through April within the city. Current renters can stay until the end of their reservation.
- Surfside Beach Town Council will be holding an emergency meeting tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. to discuss an ordinance that would allow for regular, remote meetings of council.
- Worried about getting a Real ID right now because of the coronavirus? Don’t be! The United States is giving you a little extra time to get one.
- The Myrtle Beach area continues to see golf courses close. Founders Group International announced five additional courses would close, bringing the total to 11 closed courses in the Grand Strand as of Wednesday afternoon.
- Horry County Council approved a new ordinance that will allow for remote meetings to be held in the near future. The public will be allowed to make public comments. More details about how the public can participate in the meetings will be announced soon.
- The Department of Health and Environmental Control will start announcing on Monday where coronavirus cases appear by zip code.
- Animal shelters still need food donations and foster homes to sustain operations through the pandemic. Despite a downturn in donations, the St. Frances Animal Center will be delivering pet food to folks in need due to the quarantine.
- The Horry County Council on Aging will provide special diet meals to qualifying senior homes. Call 843-248-5523 for more information.
- Horry County Schools canceled all upcoming proms.
And, as always, please listen to public health recommendations about washing your hands often for at least 20 seconds, avoiding social spaces and stop taking unnecessary trips out.
Need a distraction?
Have you used your time indoors to watch the “Tiger King” documentary on Netflix? If so, read this story about what the Myrtle Beach Safari thought about how they were portrayed.
Today was supposed to be the opening day for the Major League Baseball season. Since games aren’t being played, here is the entire Game 1 of the 1968 World Series. Bob Gibson struck out 17 in the game.
This story was originally published March 26, 2020 at 11:40 AM.
