Coronavirus live updates for March 27: The latest in the Myrtle Beach area
The number of positive COVID-19 cases has reached 21, with one death, in Horry County as of Friday morning.
Businesses in the county and Myrtle Beach area are economically hurting as multiple jurisdictions voted Thursday to put close hotels, short-term rentals and other attractions.
Positive cases and coronavirus deaths continue to climb across the state. As of Friday, South Carolina has at least 456 positive cases, with nine deaths, according to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Here are the latest updates on the coronavirus impacts to the Grand Strand for March 27.
DHEC has released the zip codes of patients who tested positive for the coronavirus. Horry County zip codes with the highest confirmed cases are 29577 and 29588.
South Carolina State Parks are closed from March 28 to April 30, according to a Friday release. Parks on the Grand Strand that are impacted are Myrtle Beach State Park and Huntington Beach State Park.
The Town of Surfside Beach voted Friday to prohibit short-term rentals through April 20. Here’s the latest.
Georgetown County’s first case of the virus was confirmed this week, and has reached at least three cases as of Friday morning, according to DHEC. The county voted Friday to ban short-term rentals in all unincorporated areas of the county through May 1.
This week’s takeaways:
- Horry County led the state in the most unemployment claims due to the coronavirus outbreak. In the last week, more than 5,000 Horry County residents applied for unemployment benefits, according to information from the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce.
- The City of Myrtle Beach, City of North Myrtle Beach and Horry County have put a hold on accommodation services across the region. Those spending time in Myrtle Beach are asked to leave as officials voted to shut down hotels and attractions Thursday. North Myrtle Beach City Council passed an ordinance Thursday prohibiting short-term rentals starting 7 a.m. Friday through April 30. Horry County Council voted in an unannounced meeting Thursday to close hotels, public and private campgrounds, mini golf courses, golf car rentals, theaters and amusement parks in all unincorporated areas.
Schools remain closed through the end of April, which means proms at Horry County Schools are canceled.
Wash your hands & a laugh
Here’s your daily reminder to wash your hands! Washing your hands often for at least 20 with soap and water could help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands, and keep a distance from those who are sick, the CDC recommends. If you are sick, you should stay home unless you are going to seek medical attention, according to the CDC.
Need a laugh? Maybe these tweets and a TikTok about quarantining will bring you a few chuckles:
Are you, or someone who you know of, showing acts of kindness during the coronavirus pandemic? Please send details to hstrong@thesunnews.com.
The first story of The Sun News’ “Together Grand Strand” series published Friday morning. Here’s where to read it: Together Grand Strand: How a local business owner is using $5K in restaurant gift cards.
This story was originally published March 27, 2020 at 11:22 AM.
