Coronavirus live updates June 15: Horry sees another surge in cases as area restaurants close
Several Myrtle Beach area restaurants have closed down due to employees testing positive for coronavirus as Horry County’s cases continue to climb.
Currently, seven restaurants — three in North Myrtle Beach, one Surfside Beach and three in Myrtle Beach — have closed down with one switching back to curbside and to-go orders. While COVID-19 isn’t a food-borne illness, S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control requires restaurants with employees who test positive to clean and disinfect the building.
“However, the restaurant wouldn’t have to shut down or close to perform the cleaning. Some restaurants choose to voluntarily close temporarily,” officials said.
The Myrtle Beach area added another 61 cases to its total coronavirus count on Monday.
Horry County now has 1,194 confirmed COVID-19 cases since the pandemic started in mid-March, according to DHEC data released on Monday. There have been 34 virus-related deaths in Horry County.
While a news release from DHEC reports there are 62 new cases in Horry County and an interactive map states 61, the state agency has previously noted the numbers often change after follow-up investigations are conducted on those who tested positive.
“The numbers are expected to fluctuate from time to time as we find new information about positive cases,” DHEC officials told The Sun News. “Our news releases provide the most current information for that time and day about individual cases and deaths, but sometimes that information changes as we learn more information during our follow-up investigations.”
DHEC officials said the online map will always be the best source to receive the most current and accurate data.
Here are live updates on the coronavirus in the Myrtle Beach area today.
Last week, there were more than 400 cases of the coronavirus announced in Horry County as the state health agency designated Myrtle Beach a coronavirus hot spot. DHEC announced an additional 96 cases Sunday afternoon, bringing the total this week to 157.
In Georgetown County, cases have risen to 181, with the total deaths remaining at three, DHEC reports.
Cases across South Carolina have climbed to 19,378, according to DHEC, and 602 virus deaths have been reported.
South Carolina has a 78 percent recovery rate, a dip over last month when the rate was at about 85 percent.
Today’s takeaways:
- Congressman Tom Rice said he and members of his family tested positive for the coronavirus early last week. Read more here.
- Thompson Farm at Brickyard Plantation in Conway will host a Drive-In Movie Summer Series starting on Friday with a screening of the John Travolta classic, “Grease.”
The iconic Springmaid Pier will officially reopen in the coming weeks after facing severe damage from Hurricane Matthew in 2016, a pier spokesperson said Monday.
Wash your hands & wear a face mask
Health officials continue to urge people to wear face masks, practice social distancing and wash their hands often.
Washing your hands often for at least 20 seconds with soap and water can help prevent the spread of the virus, health officials say. It’s important to avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
This story was originally published June 15, 2020 at 4:00 PM.
