<h2>State sees 1st 2 kids with rare MIS-C
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By Mike McCombs</span></h2>
There were two developments pertaining to COVID-19 and children last week in South Carolina. And neither were good.

On Saturday, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) confirmed the state’s first pediatric death associated with COVID-19.

Then on Sunday, DHEC confirmed the state’s first cases of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19.

The death was a child younger than 5 from Chester County.

“Today, we mourn the loss of one of our children to this virus. It is heart-wrenching to lose a child under any circumstances, and especially so during a time when we have all lost so much already,” DHEC Public Health Director Dr. Joan Duwve said. “Our state is in a dire situation, and we will continue to mourn the loss of parents, grandparents, children, friends and neighbors until each and every one of us steps up to do what is right, not just for ourselves but for others.

“No one is immune to this deadly disease, but we each have the power to impact the path this pandemic takes in South Carolina. Choosing to wear a mask and maintain physical distance today will not only help change the course of the pandemic in South Carolina, it will help save the lives of those around us.”

Then on Sunday, two children were the first in the state with a confirmed diagnosis of MIS-C, a rare health condition recently recognized to occur in some children and teenagers who have contracted COVID-19. One child is from the Midlands and one is from the PeeDee. Both are younger than 10.

“We continue to see more and more young people, especially those under 20, contracting and spreading COVID-19, and we know MIS-C is a threat to our youngest South Carolinians,” State Epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell said. “MIS-C is a serious health complication linked to COVID-19 and is all the more reason why we must stop the spread of this virus. Anyone and everyone is susceptible to COVID-19 as well as additional health risks associated with it, which is why all of us must stop the virus by wearing a mask and stay six feet away from others. These simple actions are how we protect ourselves and others, including our children.”

Cases of MIS-C in the United States were first reported in New York City in early May. Symptoms include fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, neck pain, rash, bloodshot eyes, and feeling tired.

DHEC recommends parents and caregivers learn and watch for the signs for MIS-C in their children. Emergency warning signs of MIS-C include trouble breathing, chest pain or pressure that does not go away, confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, bluish lips or face, and severe abdominal pain.

Those developments may have been overshadowed by another big week, as far as numbers go, for COVID-19. Saturday in particular.

That day, the state set a record for new cases at 2,239, more than 300 more than the previous high, and percent of positive tests at 22.2, though that mark would fall the next day.

<strong>McMaster puts COVID-19 to bed early</strong>

Saturday’s big numbers came a day after Gov. Henry McMaster prohibited alcohol sales at bars and restaurants after 11 p.m.

McMaster justified the executive order by claiming the move would help reduce the transmission of COVID-19 between young adults in South Carolina. The governor’s went into effect at 11 p.m. Saturday.

“We know that young adults who are rapidly contracting the virus and spreading it into our communities frequently congregate in late-night atmospheres which simply are not conducive to stopping its continued transmission,” McMaster said. “This measured, carefully tailored approach will lessen the opportunity for South Carolinians to put themselves and their loved ones in harm’s way.”

The governor’s order does not apply to alcohol sold at convenience or grocery stores, wine and liquor stores, or retail business.

<strong>The numbers were up again…</strong>

On average, in Beaufort County, there were 72.6 new cases each day in the week ending Monday, July 6. For the state, that number was 1,663.1

Both of those numbers are up from the previous seven-day period, when there were an average of 52.4 and 1,604.1 new cases daily in Beaufort County and the state of South Carolina, respectively.

Two times last week, Beaufort County had 105 new cases.

The positive test rate on Sunday, July 12 was a record 22.3 percent.

<strong>But no Beaufort County deaths last week</strong>

There were no reported deaths from COVID-19 Tuesday through Monday in Beaufort County.

According to both DHEC and the Beaufort County Coroner’s Office, there have been 23 total COVID-19 related deaths in the county since the pandemic began. The two entities compile their information differently.

<strong>Hospitalizations still climbing</strong>

As of Monday, there are 1,488 hospitalized across the state for COVID-19. There were 1,260 hospitalized as of the end of the previous week and 1,032 hospitalized as of the end of the week.

Of the 1,488 hospitalized, 205 are on ventilators.

<strong>THE NUMBERS</strong>

Totals

As of Monday, July 13

S.C. Confirmed cases: 58,003

S.C. Conformed deaths: 961

Beaufort County cases: 2,015

Beaufort County deaths: 23

Last week’s 7-day avg. new cases, state: 1,663.1

Previous week’s 7-day avg. new cases, state: 1,604.1

Two week ago’s 7-day avg. new cases, state: 1,263.6

Last week’s 7-day average new cases, county: 72.6

Previous week’s 7-day average new cases, county: 52.4

Two week ago’s 7-day average new cases, county: 38.9

<strong>THE LAST WEEK</strong>

Monday, July 13

New S.C. Cases: 1,532

S.C. deaths: 13

New Beaufort Co. Cases: 34

Beaufort Co. deaths: 0

Percent Positive: 21.2

Sunday, July 12

New S.C. Cases: 1,952

S.C. deaths: 10

New Beaufort Co. Cases: 66

Beaufort Co. deaths: 0

Percent Positive: 22.3*

*Record High

Saturday, July 11

New S.C. Cases: 2,239*

S.C. deaths: 18

New Beaufort Co. Cases: 105*

Beaufort Co. deaths: 0

Percent Positive: 22.2

*Record High

Friday, July 10

New S.C. Cases: 1,725

S.C. deaths: 16

New Beaufort Co. Cases: 93

Beaufort Co. deaths: 0

Percent Positive: 17.8

Thursday, July 9

New S.C. Cases: 1.723

S.C. deaths: 22

New Beaufort Co. Cases: 43

Beaufort Co. deaths: 0

Percent Positive: 20.6<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

Wednesday, July 8

New S.C. Cases: 1,537

S.C. deaths: 38*

New Beaufort Co. Cases: 64

Beaufort Co. deaths: 0

Percent Positive: 21.0<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

*Record High

Tuesday, July 7

New S.C. Cases: 934

S.C. deaths: 19

New Beaufort Co. Cases: 105*

Beaufort Co. deaths: 0

Percent Positive: 20.7<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

*Record High