Coronavirus live updates Sept. 15: Horry County adds 41 virus cases to count

Horry County added 41 coronavirus cases to its count Tuesday, bringing the total number of positive COVID-19 tests to 9.780 since mid-March, health officials announced.

Across the county, 183 people have died of the virus, according to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.

DHEC’s daily news release lists 43 new cases in Horry County Tuesday, but the department’s map indicates a jump of 41 since Monday’s numbers. Officials have said the map has the most accurate figures.

The majority of Horry County’s cases have been reported since June, but the spread of the virus slowed significantly after mask mandates were implemented in the area in early July. Horry County is set to discuss renewing its mask mandate at Tuesday’s county council meeting. The county initially voted to renew the mandate, but after Chairman Johnny Gardner wrote on Facebook that the issue needed more discussion, the mandate was added to Tuesday’s agenda.

The decrease in new cases allowed Horry County students to return to modified in-person classes. Students who chose to take classes online are now allowed to apply to switch to the county’s brick-and-mortar classes in a change of course Monday.

Here are the latest updates on the coronavirus in the Myrtle Beach area Sept. 15:

Georgetown County has reported 1,764 coronavirus cases since the beginning of the pandemic and XX people have died of COVID-19, according to DHEC.

South Carolina’s total cases have increased to 130,917, DHEC reports. Across the state, there have been 2,943 virus-related deaths. The state reported 4,465 tests to DHEC Monday, 15.7 percent of which were positive, according to DHEC.

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 September 15, 2020 at 2:27 PM.