COVID-19 update: Coronavirus cases rise in SC

March 22, 8 p.m.

There are now 195 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in South Carolina, with 44 total positives in Kershaw County alone.

Over 67% of South Carolina’s 46 counties have reported confirmed cases of coronavirus, with the highest numbers falling in Kershaw county. One 7-month-old infant in Kershaw tested positive.

Three deaths have been attributed to the virus in Lexington, Florence and Charleston counties, respectively. All three were elderly patients with underlying health issues.

One case was reported in Aiken County on Friday, Mar. 20.

There were also 13 cases confirmed at the University of South Carolina, with 12 students and one professor testing positive.

Governor Henry McMaster ordered all restaurants and bars in the state to close in-house dining services, while allowing car-side, drive-through and take-out to continue.

On Saturday he announced an executive order to allow for the sale of beer and wine through curbside services while the state of emergency continues, which will allow some cushion to the impact restaurants are taking due to shutdowns.

Some counties in the state have chosen to close their public beaches in order to encourage spring breakers and other visitors to practice social distancing, as directed by health officials like the CDC.

Hilton Head Mayor John J. McCann closed all public beaches in the town for 60 days, after beachgoers continued to gather.