Greenville Mayor Knox White says he is very concerned about the spike in coronavirus cases, especially in our area.On Friday, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control designated Greenville a hot spot for coronavirus.”A core purpose of our statewide testing strategy is to help identify hot spots, and it’s working,” Dr. Brannon Traxler with DHEC said. “Through expanded testing efforts, we’ve been able to identify Greenville as a current hot spot in the state, where the number of daily cases has been increased for the past week.”On Monday DHEC announced 542 new cases of coronavirus and 11 additional deaths.This brings the total number of people confirmed to have COVID-19 in South Carolina to 14,800 and those who have died to 557.Knox said while he is concerned, municipalities are limited in their ability to act outside the governer’s order.South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster opened attractions in the state on May 22. He opened barbershops, salons, tattoo services, etc. on May 18. On May 11 restaurants in the state were allowed to reopen. White said he has received dozens of emails from citizens and business owners concerned about how few people are wearing masks. White will host a briefing Thursday with DHEC, Prisma, Bon Secours and Greenville County Emergency Management to offer a public plea for continued social distance, facial covering, hand washing and frequent cleaning. On Tuesday, DHEC, S.C. Hospital Association (SCHA), S.C. Medical Association (SCMA) and S.C. Office of Rural Health (SCORH) released a statement urging people to wear a mask and practice social distancing. “DHEC, SCHA, SCMA and SCORH have come together to strongly urge all South Carolinians to actively help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and save the lives of our fellow residents by practicing physical social distancing and properly using face masks.”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. 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.”Please join the leaders and staff of DHEC, SCHA, SCMA and SCORH and the physicians and hospital systems we represent in protecting the lives of all South Carolinians by wearing face masks in confined public settings and maintaining at least six feet between those who are not members of your household.”Together, we can turn the tide on the COVID-19 pandemic and save lives in South Carolina.”The joint statement follows recently updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) that clearly emphasizes the importance of face masks and social distancing in preventing the spread of COVID-19.
GREENVILLE, S.C. —
Greenville Mayor Knox White says he is very concerned about the spike in coronavirus cases, especially in our area.
On Friday, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control designated Greenville a hot spot for coronavirus.
“A core purpose of our statewide testing strategy is to help identify hot spots, and it’s working,” Dr. Brannon Traxler with DHEC said. “Through expanded testing efforts, we’ve been able to identify Greenville as a current hot spot in the state, where the number of daily cases has been increased for the past week.”
On Monday DHEC announced 542 new cases of coronavirus and 11 additional deaths.
This brings the total number of people confirmed to have COVID-19 in South Carolina to 14,800 and those who have died to 557.
Knox said while he is concerned, municipalities are limited in their ability to act outside the governer’s order.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster opened attractions in the state on May 22. He opened barbershops, salons, tattoo services, etc. on May 18. On May 11 restaurants in the state were allowed to reopen.
White said he has received dozens of emails from citizens and business owners concerned about how few people are wearing masks.
White will host a briefing Thursday with DHEC, Prisma, Bon Secours and Greenville County Emergency Management to offer a public plea for continued social distance, facial covering, hand washing and frequent cleaning.
On Tuesday, DHEC, S.C. Hospital Association (SCHA), S.C. Medical Association (SCMA) and S.C. Office of Rural Health (SCORH) released a statement urging people to wear a mask and practice social distancing.
“DHEC, SCHA, SCMA and SCORH have come together to strongly urge all South Carolinians to actively help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and save the lives of our fellow residents by practicing physical social distancing and properly using face masks.
“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. 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.
“Please join the leaders and staff of DHEC, SCHA, SCMA and SCORH and the physicians and hospital systems we represent in protecting the lives of all South Carolinians by wearing face masks in confined public settings and maintaining at least six feet between those who are not members of your household.
“Together, we can turn the tide on the COVID-19 pandemic and save lives in South Carolina.”
The joint statement follows recently updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) that clearly emphasizes the importance of face masks and social distancing in preventing the spread of COVID-19.
