Coronavirus live updates July 8: Horry adds over 160 new cases, seven deaths reported
COVID-19 cases increased by 169 and there were seven additional deaths in Horry County on Wednesday afternoon, health officials announced.
Horry County has seen a total of 5,014 positive coronavirus cases since mid-March, according to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
There have been 62 deaths due to the coronavirus in Horry County. According to DHEC, six of the new deaths were in elderly individuals, with the remaining death in a middle-aged person. This is the highest number of deaths reported in a single-day.
There were 170 cases listed in DHEC’s Tuesday news release compared to 169 cases in its online map, which health officials have said shows the most accurate numbers.
Cases of the coronavirus have reached 690 in Georgetown County, DHEC reports, and there have been seven virus-related deaths reported in the county.
COVID-19 cases in South Carolina are now at 48,770, with 876 deaths reported due to the virus, according to DHEC.
Today’s takeaways:
Dozens of Grand Strand businesses received at least $1 million in forgivable federal loans as part of the coronavirus stimulus package, including one owned by Myrtle Beach’s mayor and another owned entirely by Chinese investors.
Tidelands Health reports just over 50 percent of COVID-19-positive patients hospitalized have been under 65 years old since June 15, according to a release the the hospital system. “Two weeks ago, we shared that we were seeing a higher positivity rate in young people tested for COVID-19,” said Dr. Gerald Harmon, vice president of medical affairs for Tidelands Health. “Now, we’re seeing increasing hospitalizations of young and middle-age individuals.”
Instead of issuing a face mask mandate, Surfside Beach Town Council will now “strongly encourage” residents and tourists to wear masks or coverings in retail and food establishments. Here’s how the came to that decision.
Atlantic Beach Bikefest might be canceled, but two Harley Davidson events will continue in Myrtle Beach.
Brick Landing Plantation is expected to reopen later this year as a true community golf course. Read more here.
The Myrtle Beach area is expected to see rainfall and thunderstorms during the next several days as a tropical system could develop around the Carolinas, forecasters say.
Wash your hands & wear a mask
Here is your daily reminder to wear a mask, practice social distancing and wash your hands often.
DHEC encourages people to wear a mask when visiting public places and practice social distancing to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. It is now mandatory to wear face masks in certain public areas in Horry County, Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach and Georgetown County.
Health officials say washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds can help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
This story was originally published July 8, 2020 at 2:05 PM.
