Coronavirus Live Updates: Here’s what you need know on local impacts
The spread of coronavirus, or COVID-19, has led to closures across South Carolina and Horry County.
Here’s a rundown of how the virus is affecting events and operations as of Friday afternoon. The situation could change, so check back for updates throughout the day.
Also, help protect your fellow citizens and wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds.
Government
Saturday Update: Horry County Government declared a state of emergency, shifting to OPCON level 2, meaning emergency plans can begin but the rest of the county functions normally. A presumptive positive case was reported in Brunswick County, which neighbors Horry County, officials said.
Horry County Government suspended all non-essential employee travel, according to spokesperson Kelly Moore. It will be left up to department leaders to determine if travel is essential.
Public safety, stormwater and other county services will continue as usual. Next week’s meeting schedule — including the first meeting of the Horry County floodwater task force — will continue on, too.
“It’s business as usual, but the situation can change,” Moore said. She emphasized that plans can change quickly depending on directives from state officials.
Conway is still planning on having a City Council meeting on Monday, but canceled a workshop meeting at 4 p.m. on Monday. The workshop was to discuss flooding issues near Trinity Church.
Santee Cooper is encouraging its customers to use online tools to pay bills in order to practice “social distancing.”
You can pay bills and monitor your usage at MEL (myenergylinksc.com), which is fee-free for registered users. You can sign up here. Customers also can use Santee Cooper’s CheckOut program to pay bills at a store.
Santee Cooper also notified that it will not be disconnecting power via delinquent bills through April 2.
For more information, email customercare@santeecooper.com, call 800-804-7424 or visit https://www.santeecooper.com/My-Account/Pay-My-Bill/Index.aspx.
Horry Electric Cooperatives announced Friday night that it would temporarily suspend disconnections due to lack of payment. The company asks anyone having trouble paying to contact representatives during normal business hours in order to receive help. You can contact Horry Electric at 843-369-2211.
Schools
▪ Horry County Schools will remain open until given direction to close from the state Department of Education, according to Superintendent Rick Maxey.
Ryan Brown, a department spokesman, said any school closing decisions will be made in conjunction with the state Department of Health and Environment Controls and Governor’s Office.
The SC for Ed teachers rally planned for March 24 was postponed after talks with South Carolina health officials.
Coastal Carolina University suspended all athletic games due to a decision made by the NCAA to halt all sporting events. This includes the March Madness tournament for both men’s and women’s basketball.
CCU also extended its spring break until March 20 with classes resuming on March 23. Residence halls and dining services will remain open.
▪ HCS announced at 5 p.m. Friday that it has put travel restrictions in place.
All out-of-state field trips and sporting events for staff and students have been canceled until further notice, according to a message on Horry County Schools’ website. The cancellations are effective Monday.
HCS also noted it will not schedule any further field trips nor sporting events. regardless of location, until further notice.
School administrators will work with vendors, venues and staff regarding the canceled field trips and sporting events. Deposits for field trips will be mailed back to parents/guardians “within a reasonable period of time,” the website states.
Events
The movie theater in Conway will be selling a reduced number of tickets beginning Saturday.
B&B Theatres, whose chain includes B&B Theatres Conway 12, announced Friday night via Facebook that it will be reducing the number of patrons it will allow in its auditoriums while also creating more “social distancing” lobbies, where concessions are purchased.
The theaters will sell no more than 50 percent the capacity of each auditorium beginning Saturday in an effort to reduce crowding.
“B&B Theatres is committed to maintaining safe, clean, and approachable facilities. The health of employees and guests is an exclusive priority. In light of current global and domestic health concerns, aggressive and heightened cleaning protocols and routines have been recently implemented across the B&B circuit,” the Facebook post reads.
The Myrtle Beach Food Truck Festival, scheduled for April 3-5 at Burroughs Chapin Pavilion Place, has been postponed. Event organizers said via Facebook that it will be rescheduled for a later date, possibly in the fall.
“Although this decision comes after months of hard work and preparation, the safety of our vendors, sponsors, locals and visitors is a priority,” the Facebook post reads.
Myrtle Beach Bowl announced Friday evening that its City Tournament scheduled for this weekend has been postponed and will be rescheduled for another date.
Pirate’s Voyage Dinner & Show announced via Facebook an indefinite closure beginning Monday. The popular live show advised customers to check its Facebook page and website for further updates.
The Conway Chamber of Commerce canceled its Taste of Conway event originally scheduled for March 14. Youth basketball events have also been postponed.
The annual Mingo Bay Classic high school baseball tournament held at area ball fields is still planned to take place, though many teams have already backed out. The event includes two weeks of games, with the first April 6-10 and the second April 14-18, and draws squads from different states in the U.S.
“We will play the tournament as planned if we are allowed by the [South Carolina High School League] and Horry [County] Schools],” tournament director and Myrtle Beach High baseball coach Tim Christy said in a message to The Sun News. “We have had probably 20 teams drop out so far and I expect more will follow. The entire state of [West Virginia] dropped out of Week 1 today.”
Myrtle Beach’s House of Blues canceled Eric Johnson’s concert scheduled for March 23.
Coastal Grand Mall canceled all planned events this weekend including a postponement of the Easter Bunny photography booth.
The 32nd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in North Myrtle Beach, scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, was canceled Friday.
In Market Common, the 5K race and Irish Festival planned for Saturday was canceled, according to a Facebook post from event organizers.
Hootie and The Blowfish cancelled the Monday After the Masters Celebrity Pro-Am golf tournament and benefit concert planned for April 13, citing health concerns as the main reason.
Minor League Baseball has delayed its opening day, but hasn’t said when baseball will resume. This includes the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, who were scheduled to have their first game on April 9.
The MiLB said in a release that it will announce the new season schedules as soon as possible.
Hospitals
No cases have been reported or confirmed in Horry County, but area hospitals are taking necessary precautions. Grand Strand Health, Tidelands Health and Conway Medical Center have all restricted entrances and are limiting the amount and age of visitors.
Tidelands Health and Conway Medical are limiting visitations to one visitor per patient.
Grand Strand Health opened a 24/7 phone line to answer questions about coronavirus. It can be reached at 843-692-4444.
Grocery Stores
Grocery stores across Horry County are reporting increased foot traffic as people stock up on cleaning supplies, food, water and toilet paper.
Food Lion sent out a message to customers saying the chain is working hard to keep facilities clean and is working to restock necessities that may have run out.
Walmart also released a similar statement, adding it will be looking into ways to keep shopping carts sanitized and shelves stocked with necessities.
This story was originally published March 13, 2020 at 11:47 AM.
