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As school begins statewide and college-aged gatherings remain under a microscope, Sumter's decrease in new cases appeared to plateau at the end of August.
According to state data, Sumter County's seven-day moving average has fluctuated between about 14 and 17 new confirmed cases per day since Aug. 18 after steadily decreasing since a peak of 55 at the end of July.
Clarendon County has continued to see a decrease, while Lee County has experienced a slight jump.
Statewide, the seven-day moving average of new daily cases has increased slightly back above 900 after a low of 764 on Aug. 20.
City officials shut down a pool party Saturday at an apartment complex near the University of South Carolina, saying at least 200 people were crowded around without masks, according to the Associated Press.
In Sumter, officials are also reporting that groups of people are gathering without social distancing (6 feet) or wearing masks.
"We respond to deaths all over the county," Sumter County Coroner Robbie Baker said about parties and gatherings he has witnessed. "Social distancing is good. And with the masks, just use common sense. If you feel a need to put one on, put one on."
Baker's office has 52 COVID-19-related deaths on record. DHEC had 62, as of Monday. A discrepancy in data reporting has been apparent in Sumter throughout the pandemic, and the state agency has often pointed to delays in reporting deaths of residents who died at hospitals outside the county.
Of the 52 deaths where Baker's data show COVID-19 was a contributing factor, 24 were Black females, 15 were Black males, seven were white males, four were white females, one was an Indian male and one was an Asian male. In Sumter, 47.9% of the population is Black, and 47.9% is white.
Baker said they all had underlying health conditions. Statewide, 85% did, mirroring information repeated by public health officials since the pandemic's onset that otherwise healthy individuals will likely experience mild or moderate symptoms. Most recover, but for those with underlying health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure, COVID-19 can be an "accelerant," as Baker described, that makes it harder to recover.
He said COVID-19-related deaths are going down in Sumter, but his office has remained busy. While at the onset of the pandemic he saw an spike in suicides, he is now seeing an increase in overdose deaths in white men in their 40s.
As the state continues to navigate the virus and reopen safely, DHEC officials updated recommendations for testing on Sunday.
"While many people with COVID-19 have mild or no symptoms, it is still possible that they could be infected and pass the disease to friends, family and loved ones. Meanwhile, others don't know that they've been in close contact (within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes) with someone with confirmed COVID-19," said Brannon Traxler, a doctor and DHEC physician.
The agency wants anyone who wants to get tested to do so. Community testing events are free and are set up on an ever-changing basis throughout the state.
DHEC is also urging routine testing for anyone with known exposure or concerns about exposures. Routines testing allows public health workers to diagnose those who are asymptomatic and "interrupt the ongoing spread of the virus."
"If you are out and about in the community or around others, participating in group events or not able to socially distance or wear a mask, we recommend that you receive routine testing once a month or sooner if someone you've been around tests positive or if you develop symptoms," Traxler said.
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September 01, 2020 at 09:18AM
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Coronavirus deaths slowing, DHEC urges continued testing - Sumter Item
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