First case of COVID-19 confirmed in Laurens County
The first case of COVID-19 in Laurens County has been confirmed by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).
DHEC made the confirmation of at least one case of the novel coronavirus in the county to local officials, County Director of Emergency Services Joey Avery said Saturday morning.
The identity of the victim is not being released due to medical privacy laws.
Tests for COVID-19 have been limited in the county, but have been administered to some Prisma Health Laurens County Memorial Hospital inpatients and to those referred by a Prisma physician, County Council Chairman David Pitts told council members during a Tuesday conference call.
Avery said he expects DHEC statistics on the virus to be updated to reflect the confirmed case in Laurens County later today (Saturday).
As of Friday afternoon, 539 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed statewide, including 10 deaths.
“We are still asking the public to continue to follow the preventive guidelines from the CDC and SC DHEC,” Avery said in a release.
Here are those guidelines:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and
water is not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Refrain from handshaking,
- Refrain from any large group gatherings
The release continued, “Do not be alarmed if you see our EMS personnel wearing a mask, gloves and safety glasses with an outer garment that is not part of our normal uniform attire on some calls for service. We are dressed this way for our protection as well as the protection to you our citizens. Should you have any questions of that person, please ask them to produce their official county ID which each one carries with then and should be visible.”
For general questions and the latest information about COVID-19, please visit scdhec.gov/covid19 or call the DHEC Care Line at (855) 472-3432, available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. If you believe you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, you can be assessed virtually through MUSC by visiting musc.care.
I dont need personal details just would like to know the method in which it was contracted. Travel, around someone that had it, or they have no idea.
Understandable and right that the ID of the positive case would not be disclosed. But in what town, general location was this case? Any info as to tracing likely source of his/her infection (ie., travel, etc)?
The individuals PCP, primary care provider, can also assess, refer and schedule for COVID testing as well. Prisma is not the only testing site for people in Laurens County. Self Regional also serves Laurens County.
Prayers for all victims and survivors. This is really bad but God is great. By coming together as one, practising precautions and prayer we can defeat the evil that we can’t see