As July 4 approaches, South Carolina health officials urge staying home

COLUMBIA, S.C. — As South Carolina approaches a holiday weekend often an anchor for its typically booming tourism industry, public health officials are encouraging people to just stay home as the state’s numbers of positive coronavirus tests continue to rise.

On Tuesday, South Carolina reported the state’s single-day record for coronavirus cases, with more than 1,700 in the past 24 hours.

Dr. Joan Duwve, public health director for the Department of Health and Environmental Control, said some of the largest increases in virus cases were popping up along South Carolina’s coastline, the heart of its multibillion-dollar annual tourism industry.

Instead of taking part in traditional July 4 events as they perhaps typically would, DHEC recommended that people instead watch fireworks from their cars or on television.

Tega Cay to hold fireworks show, parade despite warning from police Tega Cay to hold fireworks show, parade despite warning from police

In Tega Cay, South Carolina, the city said it will be going ahead with its holiday celebration despite calls from police to cancel the event.

With Charlotte, Rock Hill and York have canceled their displays because of the increasing COVID-19 cases, there could be more people in Tega Cay than usual.

Police told city leaders there might not be enough officers to handle that influx, but the mayor pro tem said he is comfortable with it.

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