Coronavirus live updates Aug. 25: Horry County reports more than 30 new COVID-19 cases
Coronavirus cases in Horry County grew by 34 Tuesday, health officials announced.
The latest numbers bring the total positive tests to 9,087 in the county, with the majority being reported since June. There were no new deaths from COVID-19 in the county Tuesday. Total virus-related deaths have reached 168 since the beginning of the pandemic, according to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.
DHEC’s daily news release lists 29 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 34 from Monday.
Here are the latest updates on the coronavirus in the Myrtle Beach area Aug. 25:
Officials have confirmed 1,638 cases and 35 deaths in Georgetown County since mid-March, according to DHEC.
The state of South Carolina has seen 112,088 cases of COVID-19 and 2,408 virus-related deaths since the beginning of the pandemic, DHEC reports.
In Horry County, more than 72,300 tests have been reported since the beginning of the pandemic. Of the tests performed last week, 14.7 percent were positive in the county and 15 percent were positive across the state.
DHEC shared updated data, explaining that communities with mask requirement ordinances in place continue to see a slower rate of disease spread compared to communities without mask requirements.
“The data continues to reinforce what we’ve already known about proper wearing of masks and their success in helping to stop the spread of this deadly virus,” said Dr. Brannon Traxler, DHEC physician, in a news release on Tuesday. “Wearing a mask every day in public is critical, however, not all face coverings provide the same protection.”
However, a study by Duke University shows that neck gaiters may be among the least effective types of face coverings for preventing the spread of respiratory droplets, DHEC reported. Neck gaiters are circular fabric tubes designed to be slipped on over the head, worn around the neck and pulled up over the mouth and nose.
While surgical grade N95 respirators provide the highest level of protection against the COVID-19, a close-fitting cloth mask made of cotton, polyester, polypropylene or cellulose can provide the best protection and the most breathability, according to DHEC.
“A close-fitting face mask can be made from common household fabrics and can be very effective in preventing spread of the virus while also providing comfort and breathability,” Traxler said. “We should regularly wash our reusable masks and properly dispose of temporary-use masks when they begin to show signs of wear.”
Today’s takeaways:
Myrtle Beach police pulled their guns on two unarmed women during a routine traffic stop, a lawsuit states. Read more here.
A Georgetown County man and his stepdaughter are dead after a minor traffic crash resulted in a shooting on Monday in Georgetown.
A public ceremony for police Cpl. Michael Ambrosino, who died of COVID-19, was held at Myrtle Beach State Park Tuesday. Here’s the latest.
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 25, 2020 at 2:07 PM.
