FOCUS: Thousands of new COVID-19 cases reported in last week

Staff reports  | Just under a quarter of the state’s new coronavirus cases have been reported in the last seven days, according to figures released by state health officials, who are strongly urging residents to wear face masks to stop the spread of the disease.

As of Sunday, 4,520 new positive cases have been reported since June 8.  All totaled, the state has reported 18,795 cases and 600 deaths from the virus since early March.

Meanwhile, the state has not taken steps to require the wearing of masks in public.  Several organizations, however, issued a joint statement last week to “strongly urge” people to use social distancing and wear masks to stop the spread of the virus.

“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 by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, the S.C. Hospital Association, the S.C. Medical Association and the S.C. Office of Rural Health.

“We must all commit to wearing face masks in public spaces — if we all wear them, we’ll all be protected.  Since the beginning of this public health crisis, our organizations jointly committed to protect the health and welfare of all South Carolinians throughout this pandemic. We’re calling on you for your continued help.”

State officials also have not thwarted reopening of businesses, giving South Carolinians the freedom to move about despite data that show refraining from returning to normal life routines helps to quell the spread of the highly infectious virus. Gov. Henry McMaster said Wednesday he would not shutter businesses again or mandate wearing masks, citing the economy and enforcement issues.  

“Freedom works only if there is personal responsibility,” said GOP Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey of Edgefield. “People are going to have to take more responsible actions to protect themselves and other people.”  Read more.

In related news, the city of Charleston has allowed businesses to use sidewalk sandwich boards to advertise.  The State newspaper reported lawmakers are divided on what to do to stop the spread of coronavirus. 

How to protect yourself and your family

State and federal health officials strongly recommend the following public health precautions to keep you safe:

• Wear a cloth mask when in public. It should cover your mouth and nose.  Related: Why you should wear a mask |  How to wear a mask.
• Maintain social distancing.  Stay at least six feet from others at all times, particularly in public or in enclosed spaces.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Regularly wash your hands with soap. Related: How to wash your hands properly (Alton Brown video)
• Monitor your symptoms.  Symptoms can appear two days to two weeks after exposure.  What to watch for (CDC)  |  Watch for these symptoms (DHEC)
• Disinfect high-touch surfaces daily.  Cleaning recommendations.
• Stay at home if you’re sick.  If you’re worried or think you might be sick, stay at home.
• Get tested.  If you think you’ve been exposed to COVID-19, get tested.  Related: Where to get tested (link)
• If you think you’re sick, contact your health care provider.  Related: List of virtual telehealth virtual care providers in South Carolina

What else you can do

• Communicate with your peers.  Let them know electronically and by social media that you take the virus seriously and encourage them to follow the precautions listed above.
• Share scientific information.  As businesses reopen, people may get a false sense that everything is back to normal.  Let them know it isn’t by sharing resources with them.
• Don’t let down your guard.  There’s a reason more people are getting infected.  It’s because they’re not being as careful as they once were and are coming into more contact with others.  Be vigilant. 
• Urge state officials to require masks in public.  Contact your state and local elected officials to urge them to stave a second wave of the disease by requiring masks in public. 
• • The phone number for Gov. Henry McMaster is 803.734.2100.  
  • Contact him by email by clicking here.

Coronavirus health resources

Here is a list of state and national resources that can help you make sense of the dangers and threats of the highly infectious novel coronavirus:

• How to protect yourself (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• What to do if you are sick (CDC)
• A guide to staying safe as states reopen (The Atlantic)
• Find lots of COVID-19 data about South Carolina (DHEC)
• Daily monitoring worksheet for you and your family (DHEC)

Statehouse Report’s Lindsay Street contributed to this story.