Coronavirus live updates Aug. 17: Horry County sees two dozen new COVID-19 cases
The Myrtle Beach area added 24 more coronavirus cases to its total count on Monday, but its a figure far less than what the area saw at the height of summer.
The new cases were included latest update by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. In total, Horry County has had 8,852 coronavirus cases since the pandemic started in mid-March. The county has also had 162 coroanvirus deaths.
Here are the latest updates on the coronavirus in the Myrtle Beach area Aug. 17:
A news release from DHEC indicates 27 new cases in Horry County, but the online map shows 24 new cases. Officials have said the map provides the most accurate numbers.
The number of new cases in Horry County has slowed in recent weeks. In June, in was common to see days with 100 or more cases. State health officials said they saw a drop in new cases in areas with mask requirements.
In Horry County, there have been nearly 72,000 COVID-19 tests administered, according to DHEC. About 15.7 percent tests were positive in the latest update on Aug. 15.
In Georgetown County, the total number of coronavirus cases now sits at 1,540 with 26 deaths. Across South Carolina that have been 105,905 total cases and 2,185 deaths. The state has a 90 percent recovery rate, according to DHEC.
Today’s takeaways:
Another Grand Strand movie theater is set to reopen after being closed for months during the pandemic.
A man was charged with child neglect after police say a 5-year-old nearly drowned in a Myrtle Beach hotel pool.
A special election will be held tomorrow for a special Republican primary to fill the seat vacated by Rep. Alan Clemmons.
The City of Conway extended its face covering mandate through 9 a.m. Sept. 9. The extension was passed unanmiously through a city council vote Monday afternoon.
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 August 17, 2020 at 3:07 PM.
