Coronavirus live updates Aug. 20: Three more deaths confirmed in Myrtle Beach area
Public health officials confirmed 36 new coronavirus cases and three additional deaths Thursday in Horry County, according to the latest figures from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.
This brings the county’s total to 8,955 since mid-March, along with 166 total deaths.
The latest deaths, which occurred last Thursday, Tuesday and Wednesday, were all ages 65 or older, according to DHEC.
DHEC’s daily news release lists 39 new coronavirus cases in the county, but the department’s map, which officials have described as a more accurate depiction of total cases at a given time, jumped by 36 from Wednesday.
Here are the latest updates on the coronavirus in the Myrtle Beach area Aug. 20.
In Georgetown County, there have been 1,587 confirmed cases and 31 deaths.
Across South Carolina, cases reached 108,146 and there were 42 new deaths to raise the total to 2,289 because of COVID-19, DHEC reports.
A total of 5,877 tests were reported to DHEC Wednesday, and 15.2 percent of those were positive.
DHEC county-level data shows 2,054 tests have been administered in Horry County during the past week, and 16.1 percent tested positive.
The department shows more than 76 percent of intensive care unit beds are currently occupied with 1,108 COVID-19 patients hospitalized and 170 of those patients on ventilators.
Today’s takeaways:
An Horry County police corporal died of coronavirus complications, officials announced Wednesday. Other law enforcement agencies around the state and nation were quick to offer public condolences and support.
A former employee at a resort in Surfside Beach told The Sun News that he was forced to resign after he brought up concerns about how the establishment was handling coronavirus precautions.
Some Horry County Schools students returned to school buildings Thursday for Learn, Evaluate, Analyze, Prepare (LEAP) days. The latest DHEC data would allow the district to reopen in-person if the school year began next week.
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 20, 2020 at 4:21 PM.
