Coronavirus live updates Aug. 26: Horry County reports 20 more cases

Health officials reported 20 more cases of the coronavirus in Horry County Wednesday.

Since the beginning of the pandemic in mid-March, the county has reached 9,107 positive tests and 168 people have died of the virus, according to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. The majority of the cases have been reported since June, but the increase in cases has slowed since people in the area have been required to wear masks in public.

DHEC’s daily news release lists 19 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 20 from Tuesday.

Horry County has been identified as having a “moderate” incidence rate over the past two weeks, meaning between 101-200 people per 100,000 have reported a positive test, according to DHEC. South Carolina has an incidence rate of 210 per 100,000 residents.

Here are the latest updates on the coronavirus in the Myrtle Beach area Aug. 26:

Georgetown County has reached 1,646 COVID-19 cases and 36 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic, DHEC reports.

South Carolina has reported 112,643 coronavirus cases and 2,451 people in the state have died of the virus, according to DHEC. More than 968,000 people had been tested for the virus across the state as of Monday night, DHEC reports.

Today’s takeaways:

• Family and friends gathered Tuesday to remember a Horry County police officer who died after a battle with COVID-19. Read more here.
• Carolina Opry has set a reopening date after nearly six months of being shuttered during the pandemic. Find out when it will open its doors.
• As election tensions increase and Democrats and Republicans make a case for their respective candidates at national conventions, a political display has popped up in the area. Here’s what you need to know.

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 26, 2020 at 1:51 PM.