Coronavirus live updates July 24: Death toll exceeds 100 in Horry County, Myrtle Beach
Cases of the coronavirus increased by 122 in Horry County on Friday, bringing the total number of positive cases to 7,174 since the start of the pandemic, health officials announced.
The county reported four more deaths resulting in a total of 101 deaths due to the virus since March, according to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. The four new reported deaths were all elderly individuals, according to DHEC.
A news release from DHEC indicates 116 new cases, but the agency’s online map shows 122 new cases. Health officials have said the map provides the most accurate numbers.
Here are the latest updates on the coronavirus in the Myrtle Beach area July 24.
Cases of the coronavirus have reached 1,071 in Georgetown County, according to DHEC. The county has had 13 deaths due to the virus.
Across South Carolina, cases have climbed to 78,298 and there have been 1,339 reported deaths because of COVID-19, DHEC reports.
While daily case totals remain high in the Myrtle Beach area, the weekly total reported in the county has actually declined for two consecutive weeks for the first time since April, according to DHEC data. The 926 cases confirmed last week still represents the third highest weekly total in Horry.
It’s unknown if the slight dip in new cases also means a lower percentage of people getting tested are receiving positive results because DHEC doesn’t currently provide testing data by county.
Data provided by DHEC in conjunction with the S.C. Department of Education tracking virus activity in each county that will be used to determine when students can return to in-person learning shows 22.8 percent of those being tested in Horry the past two weeks are positive, which is a slight decrease from last week’s update.
The new case totals beginning to drop comes after most local cities and Horry County imposed mandatory face mask orders. A DHEC spokesperson told The Sun News that they’re closely monitoring data trends in areas with local mask ordinances, but it will take several weeks before any definitive trends can be established.
Broken down by zip code, there was a reduction or no change last week in new cases within 15 of 16 zip codes in the county.
The only zip code with a weekly increase was 29544, one of the lowest populated areas in the county located between Aynor and Galivants Ferry, which increased from 14 new cases to 17.
Today’s takeaways:
Coastal Carolina University will begin the Fall 2020 semester as scheduled on Aug. 19, but it will continue with online instruction until at least Sept. 8, when it plans to begin in-person instruction on campus. Read more here.
Could Carolina Country Music Fest get canceled due to COVID-19? See when Myrtle Beach officials are meeting to discuss plans.
Many Horry County residents have spent the last five months at home doing their part to help slow coronavirus’ spread. Of course, that has led to people using home electronics and running the AC more, right? Read more here.
When Horry County saw a spike in its new COVID-19 cases, several municipalities passed laws requiring masks to help slow the spread — and it seems to be having an impact.
Wash your hands & wear a mask
Here is a daily reminder to wash your hands often, wear a mask and practice social distancing.
DHEC asks 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 unincorporated Horry County, the City of Myrtle Beach, the City of North Myrtle Beach and Georgetown County.
Health officials say washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds can help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
