Coronavirus update: DHEC confirms new cases in Horry County, Myrtle Beach area
South Carolina health officials confirmed three new coronavirus cases in Horry County Thursday as testing statewide continues to increase.
The additional cases bring the county’s total to 395 COVID-19 cases and 24 deaths, according to S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control data.
The Myrtle Beach area has seen an increase in confirmed cases during the past week, including a high of 26 last Friday, with many reported at a Loris nursing home, though state officials have warned case numbers will increase as testing capabilities have improved.
DHEC set a goal to test 2 percent of the state’s population each month, and it surpassed that goal for May earlier this week.
Statewide, there have been 10,788 confirmed coronavirus cases and 470 deaths with more than 187,000 total tests performed, including nearly 6,000 tests performed Wednesday, DHEC data shows.
DHEC reports about 70 percent of hospital beds were being used as of Friday morning, with 397 beds occupied by patients who tested positive or are under investigation for COVID-19. The state agency also projects about 80 percent of patients confirmed with the virus have recovered.
This story was originally published May 28, 2020 at 3:39 PM.
