As data and studies evolve to reveal more information about the novel coronavirus that has put the world into a pandemic for months now, state officials are urging the continued use of social distancing and face masks.
South Carolina has seen an increase in new cases being reported daily from the state public health department, with multiple record days reaching into the 400s and 500s as opposed to daily numbers in the 200s before Memorial Day. While the increase may be attributed to an increase in testing, according to DHEC, it may also be attributed to a relaxing of restrictions, the reopening of businesses and large group gatherings.
The percent positive rate, which public health officials look at as important, is also trending up.
On Tuesday, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control announced 434 new cases of the virus and 11 deaths, bringing the total number of people confirmed to have COVID-19 in South Carolina to 15,228 and those who have died to 568.
Lee County now remains with the highest rate of confirmed cases in the state, while Clarendon County has fallen to third after leading the state in cases per 100,000 people for weeks. According to DHEC data, Lee has had 231 cases and 19 deaths, Clarendon 309 cases and 41 deaths, Sumter 494 cases and 19 deaths.
DHEC estimates that for every known case of COVID-19, there could be up to nine people with the virus who are either unaware they are infected or who show symptoms but do not get tested.
Clarendon's death toll remains the third-highest in the state behind Richland and Greenville counties, both of which have a population in the hundreds of thousands while Clarendon has less than 34,000 residents. Florence County now has seen the same number of residents fall victim to the virus as Clarendon.
COVID-19 spreads mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Studies and evidence on infection control report that these droplets usually travel about 6 feet (about two arms lengths).
Four state public health agencies issued a joint statement Tuesday "strongly urging" South Carolinians to continue to practice physical social distancing and wearing face masks.
There is "rapidly growing medical evidence that the use of face masks along with social distancing can greatly reduce the transmission of the COVID-19 virus in public spaces and places where people at higher risk of severe illness and death from this virus are likely to be present," according to the statement from DHEC, the state Hospital Association, Medical Association and Office of Rural Health.
"If we all wear them," the statement said, "we'll all be protected."
Social distancing means maintaining 6 feet between anyone who is not a member of your household.
Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure. The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for health care workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.
According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "a significant portion" are asymptomatic, meaning they don't show signs of having the virus. Even more, the CDC says in its updated recommendations on wearing masks that those who eventually develop symptoms, called pre-symptomatic, can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms.
"This means that the virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity - for example, speaking, coughing or sneezing - even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms," the CDC recommendation says.
A cloth face covering may not protect the wearer, but it may keep the wearer from spreading the virus to others, the CDC says.
Who should wear face coverings
People older than 2 years of age in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
Who should not wear face coverings
Children under age 2; and
Anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
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June 10, 2020 at 05:00PM
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State public health officials urge continued distancing, masking - Sumter Item
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