Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in Horry County, Myrtle Beach on April 18
While much of the talk nationally has been about when America will reopen for business, it likely will be some time before those in South Carolina — and along with it the Myrtle Beach area — will be able to get back to their normal lives.
In the meantime, S.C. residents will have to rely on the little things to get through the trying times brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. Friday provided a positive step forward as Horry County residents flocked to the water as S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster allowed the reopening of boat ramps.
Here are live updates on COVID-19 in the Myrtle Beach area.
Horry County reached double digit deaths due to coronavirus after health officials reported an additional death Friday.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control confirmed 11 additional cases Friday for a total of 167.
Horry County has had 10 deaths due to the coronavirus as of Friday, DHEC reports, with latest reportedly being an elderly person with no underlying health conditions. The health department has defined elderly as anyone above the age of 60.
Cases across South Carolina have reached 4,086 with 116 deaths. DHEC has estimated that about 67 percent of those patients, excluding those that died, have recovered.
Severe weather threat
The Myrtle Beach area could see severe weather Sunday night into Monday morning, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, North Carolina.
A warm front will end Sunday evening, making way for the threat of severe weather in northeast South Carolina ahead of a cold front, the NWS forecasts. Currently, the biggest threat is the potential for damaging wind gusts in excess of 60 mph, large hail and isolated tornadoes.
Specific timing and locations for the weather event were uncertain and no warnings, nor watches were in place as of Saturday morning, according to the NWS.
Today’s takeaways:
While fear and anxiety have been all around for those in Myrtle Beach and nearby areas amid the COVID-19 pandemic, gracious gestures have spread thank yous and hope through obstacles of social distancing.
Coastal Carolina University is “bleeding cash” but is waiting on directions from the state on how it can proceed with plans for sports, the student experience and academics.
The number of coronavirus cases in Horry County and the Myrtle Beach area continued to rise Saturday, with nine additional cases and two more deaths reported.
The county’s total rose to 176 cases, up from 167 on Friday. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control released the latest data on Sunday afternoon.
There were two new deaths in Horry County as the total increased to 12. Both of those individuals were elderly people with underlying health conditions.
Georgetown County had 32 total cases and two deaths as of Saturday.
Wash your hands & a smile
This is your daily reminder to wash your hands to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Health officials recommend washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Officials also ask folks to practice social distancing.
This story was originally published April 18, 2020 at 1:31 PM.
