Coronavirus live updates July 28: Myrtle Beach area adds eight deaths, triple-digit cases
Cases of the coronavirus increased by 130 in Horry County on Tuesday, bringing the total number of positive cases to 7,678 since the start of the pandemic, health officials announced.
The county reported eight more deaths resulting in a total of 112 deaths due to the virus since March, according to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. The additional deaths results in a new single-day record for fatalities in Horry County.
Four deaths were in elderly individuals, two were in middle-aged people, one was a young adult, and the remaining death is under investigation, according to DHEC.
A news release from DHEC indicates 106 new cases, but the agency’s online map shows 130 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 28.
In Georgetown County, there have been 1,145 confirmed cases and 16 deaths.
Across South Carolina, cases climbed to 83,720, with the death total rising to 1,505, DHEC reports.
The recovery rate is currently 88 percent, according to DHEC.
As confirmed cases in Horry County see a slight decline, the county’s death toll reached 20 last week, it’s highest number of coronavirus deaths in a single week since mid-march.
Between July 19-July 25, Horry County reported 20 new coronavirus deaths, doubling the amount of deaths in the previous week, with at least one death recorded each day of the week, according to DHEC. Of the 20 deaths, 17 were elderly individuals, with the remaining three middle-aged people.
The area’s previous single-week record for deaths was 17 between July 5-July 11. Between July 12-July 18, Horry County saw 10 deaths, according to DHEC.
The area’s first death was reported on March 24.
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, and will revert back to online instruction following the Thanksgiving break.
Surfside Beach’s mayor and two council members say their colleagues acted unlawfully when they voted to appoint a company to restore Surfside Pier. Read more here.
Four suspects — including the man investigators say fired the first shots — in a gang shootout on Ocean Boulevard will remain behind bars after having their requests for bond denied.
Coastal Carolina University has secured a $95 million planned gift from an anonymous donor, according to the university, which said that the gift will provide unprecedented future funding for its academic and athletic programs.
Wash your hands & wear a mask
This is your 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 your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds can help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
This story was originally published July 28, 2020 at 3:36 PM.
