Coronavirus updates June 2: Socially distance graduations, new cases in Myrtle Beach area
Graduating in 2020...
High School graduations in Horry County looked a little different on Tuesday with seniors sitting far apart from their classmates and loved ones because of COVID-19 restrictions.
Five area high schools — Myrtle Beach High, North Myrtle Beach High, Conway High, St. James High and Loris High — had morning graduations Tuesday. At Conway High School, students sat with a distance between one another on the football field.
This year, Horry County Schools allowed high school administrators to choose how schools would conduct graduation ceremonies. Ten county high schools had in-person ceremonies despite coronavirus restrictions that made them look a bit different than previous years. Students also had the opportunity to have individual ceremony options if they did not wish to participate in group ceremonies.
Later in the day, a peaceful demonstration was held in North Myrtle Beach with the nearly 100 in attendance protesting the police brutality that resulted in the death of George Floyd.
“I can’t sit back and watch because there has been too much going on for too long and we have to band together as a community to speak up against the injustice,” Socastee resident Shannon Horseman said. “We can’t keep sitting quietly from our homes, we have to get up and do something.”
Here are live updates on the coronavirus in the Myrtle Beach area today.
Cases across Horry County grew by 18 as of Tuesday afternoon, according to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control. The newly announced cases brings the total amount of COVID-19 cases in the county to 472 since mid-March.
There have been 27 virus-related deaths in Horry County. Tuesday’s latest death was an elderly individual, DHEC reported.
In Georgetown County, cases have risen to 78, with three deaths, DHEC reports.
COVID-19 cases in South Carolina have reached 12,415 and there have been 501 virus-related deaths.
Today’s takeaways:
- Most Myrtle Beach attractions have reopened after being closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Some are scheduled to reopen soon.
- The City of Conway’s public pool had plans to reopen, but damage due to heavy rains has shaken that timeline.
Boat landings across Horry County have closed due to high water levels. Read more here.
Wash your hands & weather outlook
Here’s your daily reminder to wash your hands and practice social distancing. Washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds can help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, health experts say. Social distancing guidelines are still in place.
King tides are expected to roll into the area as a full moon is ahead at the end of the week. Forecasters say we could see some thunderstorms beginning Thursday night and through Saturday, but Wednesday is expected to be sunny with a high in the mid 80s.
This story was originally published June 2, 2020 at 4:05 PM.
