Horry-Georgetown Technical College has had three confirmed coronavirus cases
Horry-Georgetown Technical College has three confirmed cases of coronavirus among its student body.
President Marilyn Fore said during Tuesday’s Myrtle Beach City Council meeting that three students have COVID-19 and are receiving emotional support from on-staff counselors and tutorial assistance during this time, along with an extension to complete their course work. Community resources are also being provided to support the students and their families.
Though it’s unclear when they were diagnosed, the students self-identified that they had the virus by contacting their faculty members, Fore said. Additionally, no faculty or staff members have contracted the virus.
“Our faculty are working with them and our staff are working with them,” Fore said. “We have counselors on hand who are doing outreach to give emotional support to not only those students but to our students who seem to be having difficulties getting through this time.”
As students at the Myrtle Beach area institution continue their spring semester online, the college has postponed its spring graduation due to the coronavirus pandemic. Maymester and summer courses are currently available for enrollment.
As of Monday night, there are now 147 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Horry County, according to South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. Seven deaths have been reported in Horry County, while Georgetown County has 31 confirmed cases and one reported death.
South Carolina has more than 3,439 confirmed cases and 87 deaths from COVID-19. Health officials continue to stress the importance of handwashing and social distancing to help stop the disease’s spread. Projections show South Carolina to reach its peak of coronavirus in late April or early May.
This story was originally published April 14, 2020 at 11:19 AM.
