Health officials investigate possible case of coronavirus in Lancaster County

LANCASTER, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control said Wednesday it is investigating a possible case of the novel coronavirus in Lancaster County. It’s the first reported case in our area.

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The new case is a woman who is currently in isolation at a hospital, officials said.

“I heard it in Kershaw area but when it came to Lancaster, it’s just, like, ‘Wow,’” a resident, Rose Mackey, said.

According to health officials, the woman did not travel outside of the state or have known contact with another case in South Carolina.

This brings the number of presumptive positive cases to eight in South Carolina, along with two CDC confirmed cases. Most of the cases are in Kershaw County.

“Our top priorities remain preventing the spread of the disease and protecting public health,” said Dr. Linda Bell, state epidemiologist. “Our systems for protecting public health are working. We’re continuing to work with the CDC and our state and local partners, however, based on what’s occurring in other states and countries, we expect community spread to grow.”

More than 120,000 people worldwide have been infected with the novel coronavirus. More than 4,000 people have died and more than 66,000 people have recovered from the virus.

There are more than 1,000 confirmed cases in the U.S. with schools, events and travel continuing to be impacted.

The World Health Organization announced Wednesday COVID-10 has been declared a pandemic.

Lancaster County Schools said the case in the county is not related to any school at this time.

School district officials are immediately suspending all field trips in-state and out-of-state.

“We are going to limit outside school visitors, and volunteers to our schools immediately for the health and safety of our students and staff,” school officials said in a statement. “Those needing to visit our schools will be asked to remain in the office area to conduct their business.”

School athletics and athletic travel will continue as of now but could change.

School officials will release a plan on Thursday.

This is an ongoing investigation.

Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

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