South Carolina public health officials say two more people have died as a result of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Dr. Linda Bell, state epidemiologist for the S.C. Dept. of Health and Environmental Control, announced the new deaths in a press conference Thursday afternoon, March 26.
One of the patients who died was from Kershaw County, and the other was from Sumter County, Bell said.
Both individuals were elderly and had underlying health conditions, according to a DHEC statement provided later.
Nine people have now died in South Carolina due to the COVID-19 illness. Two each have been reported in Florence and Sumter counties. One each has been reported in Kershaw, Charleston, Horry, Lexington and Clarendon counties.
Additionally, DHEC has announced 32 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in South Carolina as of March 26, bringing the state's total to 456 cases across 39 of 46 counties.
New cases are listed below by county:
- Abbeville County: 1 case
- Aiken County: 2 cases
- Anderson County: 2 cases
- Beaufort County: 3 cases
- Berkeley County: 3 cases
- Charleston County: 8 cases
- Fairfield County: 1 case
- Georgetown County: 1 case
- Greenville County: 1 case
- Horry County: 1 case
- Jasper County: 1 case
- Kershaw County: 1 case
- Lancaster County: 1 case
- Lexington County: 2 cases
- Orangeburg County: 2 cases
- Richland County: 1 case
- York County: 1 case
Kershaw County remains the area where the virus has been most prolifically diagnosed, with 64 positive cases. Charleston and Richland counties each have 60 positive cases, followed by Greenville (51), Beaufort (29), Anderson (21), Horry (21) and Lexington (20).
Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Cherokee, Hampton, Laurens and McCormick remain the only counties in South Carolina from which no positive coronavirus cases have been reported.
DHEC reminds Individuals with signs of illness to stay at home and not attend public gatherings.
All South Carolinians are encouraged to monitor for symptoms, practice social distancing, avoid touching frequently touched items, and regularly wash their hands, especially after being in a public place, DHEC says.
Visit DHEC's website for the latest information on coronavirus in South Carolina.