Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on May 24
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Most recent numbers
South Carolina has had 10,096 people test positive for the coronavirus as of Sunday, and 10 more die, bringing the state’s death toll to 435, according to state health officials.
The 10 new deaths were reported in Clarendon, Greenville, Kershaw, Lexington, Spartanburg, Sumter and Williamsburg counties.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control said 209 new cases were reported Sunday.
As of Saturday, 168,908 people in South Carolina had been tested for the virus, up from 163,818 Friday, according to the state.
Infection hot spots
Richland and Greenville counties continue to be hot spots for infections. Greenville County had 54new cases on Sunday, while Richland added 14, the state says.
That brings Richland’s reported infections to 1,361, but DHEC estimates there are as many as 9,721 possible cases.
Meanwhile, Greenville County has 1,286 reported cases, and the state estimates it could have as many as 9,186 possible infections.
Beaches packed, violence erupts
Myrtle Beach reports the loosening of COVID-19 restrictions brought thousands of tourists to the coast for the three-day Memorial Day weekend.
With the crowds came gun violence, MyrtleBeachonline.com reported.
Several people were injured in a shooting at 12:30 a.m. Sunday near Ocean Boulevard and 12th Avenue North, the second weekend that gun violence was reported on the popular section of road. The seriousness of the injuries was not released by police.
Myrtle Beach officials predicted “a 75 to 100% occupancy rate for the holiday weekend,” The Sun News reported.
The first night of the holiday weekend saw a heavy police presence on Ocean Boulevard, new traffic patterns and additional pedestrian barricades.
The return of tourists to the city comes as Horry County continues to see a rise COVID-19 cases. The county added 11 new cases on Saturday, bringing the total to 371 infections, according to DHEC. The virus has killed 21 in the county.
Riverbanks Zoo reopens
Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens reopened Saturday to “smaller-then-usual” crowds due to new social distancing guidelines.
Only about 3,000 people were allowed in, compared to the 13,000 to 15,000 on a typically Saturday.
The zoo had put a variety of safety measures in place to stop the spread of the virus.
Fewer people are allowed into access points for viewing animals, animal statues are roped off to keep children from climbing on them, multiple hand sanitizer stations have been put up and fewer people were allowed on the zoo’s carousel at the same time.
This story was originally published May 24, 2020 at 8:15 AM with the headline "Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on May 24."