‘Invest in some common sense’: McMaster issues warning as COVID cases climb

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina health officials on Wednesday announced the highest single-day total of COVID-19 deaths, at 24. In addition, there were 1,497 new lab-confirmed cases reported in the last 24 hours.

That single-day case count was the third-highest reported so far in the state since the beginning of the outbreak.

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There are currently 1,160 hospital beds occupied by patients who have either tested positive or are under investigation for COVID-19. This brings the total number of confirmed cases to 37,809, probable cases to 110, confirmed deaths to 759 and seven probable deaths.

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Myrtle Beach has been deemed a hot spot.

"What we're seeing is when people come on vacation and they think and act differently and that's the main problem we're having," Mayor Brenda Bethune said.

The city of Myrtle Beach is considering a mask mandate.

“City council is meeting (Thursday) to vote on a mask ordinance,” Bethune said. “I do feel like that’s going to pass unanimously. Our residents are asking for that and I think our business community. According to the chamber, 70% of the business community is on board with this.”

State Epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell said Wednesday that the state can expect to see hospitalizations and deaths increase as the number of cases rises. She said she’s very concerned about the current death rate.

Gov. Henry McMaster said that not long ago it was “unimaginable” that South Carolina would have more than 1,000 new cases a day. He said if numbers continue to rise, the state will have no choice but to keep restrictions in place on crowds, which means no high school or college football, concerts or other spectator events.

“If we want to go into the fall with school openings and football games and all that goes into that with celebrations and gatherings, we must control the spread of the virus,” he said. “Take this thing seriously. If everyone does that, then we’ll be in good shape. If there are people who don’t do that, we will not be in good shape.”

McMaster urged people to “invest in some common sense with your friends and neighbors and remind them of what they have to do.”

He said the Fourth of July holiday weekend is a test for South Carolina as crowds are expected to gather.

“July the Fourth is coming,” McMaster said. “Everyone wants to get out, but it’s a dangerous time for us to spread this virus.”

More than 1,000 newly diagnosed cases have been reported in 11 of the past 13 days in South Carolina, and health officials said that number overwhelms the ability to track cases and try to slow the spread of the virus.

Bell also said state officials are expecting to see hospitalizations and deaths to increase as the number of cases rises.

McMaster issued no new orders to stop the spread of the virus Wednesday, again calling for personal responsibility.

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