Coronavirus live updates May 9: Myrtle Beach, get set to start your engines, rev up ovens
The Myrtle Beach area is starting to feel more alive by the day.
And the coming weeks will only extend that sense.
Restaurants will reopen to inside dining, albeit with restrictions, on Monday, boating restrictions were lifted Friday and the Grand Strand will have a live sporting event later this month as Myrtle Beach Speedway returns to racing.
Indeed, May is starting to feel more like May along the Grand Strand, despite the fact the coronavirus pandemic is not completely in the rear-view mirror.
However, as leaders lift restrictions, they stress it’s still important to be mindful of social distancing and take other precautions to continue curbing the spread of COVID-19.
Here are the latest updates on the coronavirus in the Myrtle Beach area May 9.
Cases of the coronavirus grew by nine in Horry County as of Friday afternoon, according to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
The number of cases in Horry County has reached 251, the latest update states. So far this week, there have been 25 new cases announced by DHEC.
No new deaths due to the virus were reported Friday, though health officials have reported one death so far this week in Horry County. The death toll for the county stands at 18.
Last week, there were 27 coronavirus cases announced, compared to the week before that which stood at 20, DHEC records show.
Cases across South Carolina have reached 7,367, with 320 deaths, according to DHEC. The state has an 81 percent recovery rate, DHEC reports.
Today’s takeaways
- New and expecting mothers across the Grand Strand have faced atypical obstacles amid the coronavirus. See how some of them have dealt with the unusual hardships that have come with young motherhood during a pandemic.
- Suck Bang Blow, a bar in Murrells Inlet, has a day-long concert event today. Smokin’ Joe and the Burnin’ Blues Band opens at 1 p.m., with Barnyard Stompers (2 p.m.), Coman Sproles (5 p.m.) and Josh Brannon (6 p.m.) to follow. “Today’s lineup is pretty epic considering the circumstances. Get out of your house for a few beers and some live music today!” SBB stated on Facebook.
Wash your hands & please donate
Here’s your daily reminder to wash your hands and practice social distancing. Health officials say you should wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose with unclean hands, health officials recommend. Practicing social distancing can also help prevent the spread of the virus.
Lastly, at The Sun News, we feel a significant responsibility to report and share the fullest picture as possible so you can make the best decisions and be knowledgeable about what is happening in your community. Our staff has worked, and continues to work, tirelessly for weeks to keep you and your families informed during this trying time.
However, we’re not immune to the troubles that face our economy.
So far, we’ve been able to keep our reporters and visual journalists working every day here on the Grand Strand, risking their health and safety to gather stories, but that’s not the case for our colleagues in other newsrooms across the country who have faced lay offs, furloughs or salary reductions.
To ensure our newsroom staff doesn’t suffer a similar fate, The Sun News has partnered with the nonprofit Local Media Foundation with the goal of raising $55,000. This will allow our readers and the public to make a tax-deductible donation to preserve local journalism and enable us to continue reporting fully on the coronavirus’ impact on our communities.
Please donate by visiting givebutter.com/myrtlebeachonline.
We know these are difficult times, and if you are unable to make a donation or subscribe to The Sun News, we’ll still be here for as long as we can to provide you with critical information.
We thank you for your support, understanding and for trusting us to deliver you news that has value, integrity and truth.
