2 confirmed coronavirus cases in SC, 5 others with presumptive positive results Evidence of community spread in Camden, DHEC says Share Shares Copy Link Copy

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>> WE WANT TO BREAK INTO YOUR REGULAR PROGRAMMING FOR THE UPDATE ON CORONAVIRUS TH. THE GOVERNOR SPEAKING NOW. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. WE ARE CONTINUING TO MONITOR AND RESPOND TO POSSIBLE CASES OF COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS IN SOUTH CAROLINA. AT THIS TIME, THE RISK OF CONTRACTION OF COVID-19 REMAINS LOW TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. WE, ALONG WITH OUR STATE PARTNERS AND PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS AROUND THE STATE, HAVE BEEN PREPARING FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF COVID-19 IN OUR STATE. IT IS HERE AND OUR SYSTEMS FOR LIMITING THE SPREAD ARE WORKING. AN UPDATE FROM LATE YESTERDAY, A PRESUMPTIVE POSITIVE RESULT FOR ONE ADDITIONAL INDIVIDUAL WHO WERE TESTED FOR THE NOVO CORONAVIRUS, COVID-19. DR. BELL IN HER COMMENTS WILL PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. CURRENTLY WE ARE MONITORING PATIENTS. WE HAVE COMPLETED 56. 16 REMAIN IN MONITORING. OF THOSE TESTED, WE HAVE 24 NEGATIVES, SEVEN POSITIVES OF THE 31 TESTS WE HAVE CONDUCTED TO DATE. WITH REGARD TO THE RECENT RICHLAND DISTRICT ONE ANNOUNCEMENT, STUDENTS WERE NOT ADVISED TO STAY HOME FROM SCHOOL OR SO QUARANTINE. THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF ANYONE BEING TESTED. SCHOOL DISTRICTS SHOULD CONSULT WI DHEC BEFORE LISTENING TO ANNOUNCEMENTS SUCH AS THIS. >> TODAY WE PARTICIPATED IN A VIDEO CONFERENCE WITH VICE PRESIDENT PENCE, SURGEON GENERAL JEROME ADAMS AND HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY ALEX AZ AR TO REPORT ON HOW TEAM SOUTH CAROLINA IS RESPONDING TO THE VIRUS. HEALTH CARE AUTHORITIES IN SOUTH CAROLINA CONTINUE TO FOLLOW ESTABLISHED PROTOCOLS AND PROCEDURES TO ADDRESS THE VIRUS. THERE IS NO CAUSE FOR PUBLIC ALARM OR SPECULATION. SCHOOLS WILL REMAIN OPEN. SCHOOLS WILL REMAIN OPEN AND STATE GOVERNMENT OFFICES IN ALL 46 COUNTIES WILL ALSO STAY OPEN. SOUTH CAROLINIANS SHOULD CONTINUE THEIR NORMAL DAILY ROUTINE AND RESPONSIBILITIES. IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT EACH INDIVIDUAL IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN ACTIONS AND PERSONAL HYGIENE. THAT IS FOR YOUR OWN BENEFIT AND THAT OF THE COMMUNITY. ALSO CAROLINIANS SHOULD CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THE RECOMMENDATIONS AND INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE OFFICIAL SOURCES, AND YOU HAVE ALL HEARD IT OVER AND OVER. COVER YOUR COUGH OR SNEEZES, WASH HER HANDS WITH SOAP AND WARM WATER THROUGHOUT THE DAY. IF YOU FEEL SICK, STAY HOME AND CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR. FROM HOME, YOU CAN CONSULT WITH A DOCTOR FOR FREE WITH AN USC -- USC CORONAVIRUS WEBSITE FOU AS OF THIS MORNING, 1178 PEOPLE HAVE LONG DONE TO THAT WEBSITE AND HAVE BEEN SCREENED BY MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS. OURS IS THE ONLY STATE THAT WE KNOW OF THAT HAS THIS FREE SERVICE. AS DHEC HAS POINTED OUT, THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF TESTING KITS IN SOUTH CAROLINA. YOUR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL CAN GET YOU TESTED IF THEY BELIEVE IT IS NECESSARY. IT IS INEVITABLE THAT MORE SOUTH CAROLINA HANDS -- MORE SOUTH CAROLINIANS WILL BE TESTED IN THE DAYS AHEAD AND IT IS LIKELY WE WILL HAVE MORE POSITIVE CASES. THE SURGEON GENERAL TO LIST TODAY THAT THE CORONAVIRUS AS A LOWER THREAT OF MORTALITY WITH CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS THAN THE REGULAR FLU DOES. THAT’S WHAT THEY TOLD ME TODAY IN THE MEETING WE HAD EARLIER, THE VIDEOCONFERENCE. ELDERLY PEOPLE WITH UNDERLYING, PRE-EXISTING HEALTH CONDITIONS, SUCH AS OBESITY, DIABETES, RESPIRATORY OR HEART DISEASE ARE PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TO THE CORONAVIRUS. WE HAVE SEEN THAT. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. LATE YESTERDAY AFTERNOON, DHEC RECEIVED A PRESUMPTIVE POSITIVE TEST FOR A PERSON TESTED FOR CORONAVIRUS. HE HAD CLOSED FACE TWO-FACED CONTACT WITH A PRESUMPTIVE -- PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED PRESUMPTIVE POSITIVE CASE. HE IS ALSO FROM CAMDEN. HE WAS EVALUATED AT A HEALTH CARE FACILITY OR HE IS NOT HOSPITALIZED AND IS CURRENTLY ISOLATED AT HOME. WITH THESE NEW PRESUMPTIVE POSITIVE CASES, WE NOW HAVE INDICATION OF COMMUNITY SPREAD IN CAMDEN. HOWEVER, I WANT TO REASSURE THE PUBLIC THAT TDHEC HAS BEEN PREPARING FOR SEVERAL WEEKS AND HAVE PLANNED AND PREPARED AND TESTED OUR ABILITY TO RESPOND TO PUBLIC HEALTH THAT’S LIKE COVID-19. OUR CONTACT INVESTIGATION PROTOCOL IS WORKING AS WE ARE APPROPRIATELY IDENTIYING AND CONNECTING WITH INDIVIDUALS WHO COULD HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO THIS ILLNESS. THIS HELPS US TO LIMIT POTENTIAL SPREAD WHILE WE CONTINUE TO ALSO IDENTIFY POTENTIAL EXPOSURES BASED ON TRAVEL OR OTHER HISTORY. IT IS ALL OF OUR RESPONSIBILITIES TO HELP PREVENT THE SPREAD OF ILLNESS. OUR KEY RECOMMENDATIONS AT THIS TIME ARE TO STAY HOME FROM WORK OR SCHOOL AND TO AVOID PUBLIC GATHERINGS TO PROTECT OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY IF YOU ARE SICK. WHICH OUT TO YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IF YOU ARE SHOWING SYMPTOMS SUCH AS FEVER, COUGH, OR SHORTNESS OF BREATH. IF AN INDIVIDUAL DOESN’T HAVE A PRIMARY HEALTH CARE PROVIDER, M USC HEALTH HAS A FREE TELEHEALTH SCREENING TO ALSO CAROLINIANS. ANYONE EXPERIENCING SYMPTOMS CAN VISIT MUSC.CARE WITHOUT HAVING TO LEAVE HOME. YOU CAN REACH OUT FOR MORE ON THEIR TELEHEALTH SCREENING. WE ARE LEARNING MORE ABOUT THIS VIRUS AND ARE COMMITTED TO KEEPING THE PUBLIC INFORMED. WE WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE UPDATES AS QUICKLY AND TIMELY AS POSSIBLE. I WOULD TO REEMPHASIZE THAT EACH OF US HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF THE DISEASE. TO PROTECT OUR FAMILY, COWORKERS, COMMUNITY, PLEASE STAY HOME IF YOU ARE SICK AND CONTINUE TO PRACTICE GOOD HYGIENE. I WANT TO THANK ALL OF OUR PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS, HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS, AND FACILITIES AND VARIOUS LEADERS AND ACROSS THE STATE FOR THEIR CONTINUED DEDICATION TO PROTECTING THE HEALTH OF SOUTH CAROLINIANS. WITH THE LATEST INFORMATION, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO VISIT OUR WEBSITE. THANK YOU, AND I’M HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS. >> DOES ANYONE HAVE QUESTIONS? >> HOUSES OF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO DESCEND FOR THE ST. PATRICK’S DAY FESTIVAL COULD WHAT IS THE EXPECTATION THERE? WE ARE ASKING PEOPLE TO AVOID CROWDS IF THEY HAVE SYMPTOMS. IF WE ARE IN A COMMUNITY WHERE WE DON’T HAVE EVIDENCE OF ONGOING SPREAD, WHICH IS NOT THE CASE IN THE COLUMBIA AREA, FOR EXAMPLE, THERE IS NO REASON TO ALTER ACTIVITIES AT THIS TIME TO CANCEL ANY PUBLIC EVENTS OR TAKE ANY SPECIAL MEASURES WHEN THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF ONGOING SPREAD IN A COMMUNITY. >> YOU SAID ALL OF US BUILDINGS ARE OPEN NOW. WHAT WOULD CAUSE THE DECISION TO CLOSE AND WHO MAKES THAT DECISION? >> CLOSING THE STATE OFFICES WOULD BE UP TO ME, UP TO THE WE ARE NOWHERE NEAR THA WE WILL KEEP EVERYONE INFORMED ON EXACTLY WHAT THE POLICY IS THERE IS NO REASON TO DO THAT. >> WHAT ABOUT SCHOOLS? >> THERE IS NO REASON TO DO THAT. >> WITH REGARD TO THE QUESTION ABOUT SCHOOLS, WE ARE IN CONSTANT CONTACT WITH THE SCHOOL OFFICIALS AND WORKING WITH THEM TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THE LATEST INFORMATION AND THERE IS NO RECOMMENDATION AT THIS TIME FOR THEM TO TAKE ANY ACTION SUCH AS THAT. >> ON SATURDAY, IT WAS SAID THAT TESTS WERE RECEIVED AND WE DIDN’T HEAR ABOUT THE PRESUMPTIVE TEST UNTIL FRIDAY EVENING WHY WAS THAT? >> THE QUESTION IS THE TIME LAG BETWEEN A TEST FROM OUR LAB TO THE TIME THAT IT GOES TO CDC AND CDC RESPONSE TO US WITHIN AFFIRMATIVE POSITIVE. THE -- WE RECEIVED THE PRESUMPTIVE POSITIVE TEST TODAY CDC IS COLLECTING SAMPLES FROM MULTIPLE STATES, FROM ALL OF THE STATES. WE CANNOT CONTROL THEIR TURNAROUND TIMELINE AND SO WE RECEIVED IT TODAY. >> WHERE ARE THE STEPS THE SCHOOL SHOULD TAKE IF THEY FEEL CHILDREN HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO THE CORONAVIRUS? >> WE RECOMMEND SCHOOLS TAKE THE MEASURES THEY HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN, EXCLUDE INDIVIDUALS IF THEY ARE SICK. THIS IS SOMETHING WE CANNOT EMPHASIZE MORE. IT IS THE MESSAGE WE HAVE ALWAYS GIVEN AND THE MESSAGE THAT IS EFFECTIVE. IF STUDENTS OR STAFF MEMBERS ARE ILL, THEY SHOULD STAY HOME. THERE IS NO REASON FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE NOT HAVING SYMPTOMS TO CURTAIL THEIR ACTIVITIES DURING WE HAVE GUIDANCE FOR SCHOOLS WITH A VARIETY OF CONDITIONS FOR THE MEASURES THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO TAKE FOR EACH SPECIFIC DIAGNOSIS. WE ASK THAT PEOPLE MONITOR FOR SYMPTOMS AND STAY HOME IF THEY ARE SICK. >> YOU HAVE A COMMENT ABOUT THE ONE WHO WAS PUSHED OUT EARLY? >> WITHOUT INFORMATION ABOUT WIDESPREAD TRANSMISSION IN THE COMMUNITY, THERE IS NO REASON TO DO SCHOOL CLOSURES AND AS INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE NOT SICK TO STAY HOME AND QUARANTINE IF THEY HAVEN’T BEEN IN CONTACT WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED. >> THAT BACK TO WHAT COULD TRIGGER, IS IT THE WIDESPREAD -- IT BEING WIDESPREAD IN THE COMMUNITY? >> WE MONITOR ABSENTEE RATES, BUT THIS IS SOMETHING WE TAKE UNDER CONSIDERATION EACH FLU SEASON, IN FACT. EVEN DURING THE FLU PANDEMIC, WE WERE MAKING PLANS FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF SCHOOL CLOSURES. WE HAVE NOT TAKEN THAT MEASURE STATEWIDE. LOCATION SCHOOL DISTRICT MAKE THEIR OWN DECISION IF THERE ARE HIGH ABSENTEE RATES OR IF THEY DON’T HAVE SUFFICIENT STAFF TO PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT. IF THERE IS NOT EVIDENCE OF ONGOING SPREAD IN THE COMMUNITY, THERE IS NO REASON TO CLOSE SCHOOLS. >> ONE PERSON, IT FACE TO FACE. CAN YOU CONFIRM IF IT COULD STILL BE AIRBORNE? >> IN HEALTH-CARE SETTINGS, WE HAVE TERMS THAT HAVE A SPECIFIC MEANING THAT MIGHT DIFFERENT FOR WHAT THEY MEAN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. HENRI REFERRED TO AIRBORNE TRANSMISSION, THAT MEANS THERE ARE VERY SMALL MICRO DROPLETS THAT REMAIN SUSPENDED IN THE AIR FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. COVID-19 IS NOT IN THAT CATEGORY. WE CONSIDER IT TO BE SPREAD BY RESPIRATORY DROPLETS, WHICH ARE LARGER DROPLETS THAT DO NOT REMAIN SUSPENDED IN THE AIR FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. THAT IS HOW WE DEFINE CLOSE CONTACT. IF YOU HAVE HAD FACE-TO-FACE CONTACT, AND THOSE WHO COULD BE EXPOSED TO LARGER RESPIRATORY DROPLETS. HOW MANY CONFIRMATIONS FROM CDC? >> TWO CASES. >> THERE WAS AN ANNOUNCEMENT MADE ABOUT QUARANTINING STUDENTS . WAS THAT NOT YOUR RECOMMENDATION? >> THEY DID NOT CONSULT WITH US PRIOR TO THAT ANNOUNCEMENT. WE WERE NOT AWARE OF THEIR ACTION AND DECISION AND IF THEY HAD CONSULTED US, WE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE COME AS HAS BEEN SAID HERE, THAT IS NOT A NECESSARY STEP. >> ARE THEY TESTING THE PERSON MENTIONED IN THE PRESS RELEASE? >> WE ARE NOT AWARE OF ANY TEST FOR THE INDIVIDUAL. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TESTED AND ASK HERSELF WANTING? >> WE HAVE TESTED 31 -- LET ME MAKE SIR. WE HAVE TESTED 31 ACTUAL SUBMISSIONS UP A TEST. 24 HAVE BEEN NEGATIVE. SEVEN AS OF YESTERDAY AFTERNOON LATE WAS POSITIVE. WE RECEIVED FROM THE CDC TO CONFIRMATIONS OF THAT SEVEN. SURVIVE REMAIN PRESUMPTIVE AT THIS TIME. TO GO BACK TO IT, WE ARE MONITORING STILL WHERE WE HAVE COMPLETED MONITORING OF 56 INDIVIDUALS. THOSE -- A MAJORITY OF THOSE WERE TRAVELERS WHO HAD COME BACK IN FROM INFECTED AREAS. WE ARE CURRENTLY MONITORING 16 THAT ARE STILL IN THE PROCESS. THE TWO THAT TESTED POSITIVE WAS IN CAMDEN AND ONE IN CHARLESTON COUNTY. >> IS THERE ANY DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF CARE PER PROTOCOL WHEN THEY GET TO THE AIRPORTS? ANY SCANNING THROUGH THE GATES? >> NOT SCANNING INDIVIDUALS. THE CDC HAS POSTED GUIDANCE FOR AIRLINES AND THEY HAVE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN IF AN INDIVIDUAL IS ILL ON A FLIGHT. AND THEN THERE IS AN EVALUATION OF PASSENGERS ON THE FLIGHT. BECAUSE OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT TRAVEL THROUGH AIRPORTS, OTHER MEASURES ARE NOT NECESSARY IT NOT POSSIBLE TO MONITOR THOSE IN U.S. AIRPORTS. >> IS THERE A PENALTY IF THOSE WHO ARE SELF QUARANTINE BREAK THAT? >> WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY ISSUES WITH THE PEOPLE WHO SELF QUARANTINE FOR WE DO HAVE MEASURES IF WE NEED THEM. FOR STUDENTS RETURNING FROM SPRING BREAK FROM AREAS THAT WE KNOW TO BE IMPACTED WHERE THERE IS ONGOING DISEASE TRANSMISSION, WE DO ASK THAT THEY MONITOR FOR SYMPTOMS AND THAT THEY REPORT THE SYMPTOMS AND THE TRAVEL HISTORY SO WE CAN HAVE THAT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE RISK. >> IS THERE A PLAN TO OPEN SIGNIFICANT LOCATIONS FOR TESTING CONCENTRATED IN ONE AREA? >> THERE ARE TWO ANSWERS TO THAT. ONE IS DHE IS THE PUBLIC LAB AUTHORIZED BY THE CDC TO PERFORM TESTS. LAB CORE AND QUEST HAVE ALSO RECEIVED FDA APPROVAL LATE LAST WEEK OR IN THE WEEKEND THAT PROVIDES ANOTHER MEANS FOR TESTING WITHIN THE STATE. DOCTORS SAMPLES TO LAB CORE REQUEST. THE M USC AS WE MENTIONED HAS REQUESTED AND IS GOING TO THE PROCESS FOR THEIR APPROVALS FOR THE FDA. GOVERNOR MCMASTER ASKED THE FDA TO MAKE SURE THEY WOULD EXPEDITE THAT REQUEST. WE HOPE TO SEE M USC COME ON BOARD. THE MORE CENTERS WE HAVE IT REDUCES THE CONGESTION OF ONLY HAVING ONE SITE PROCESSING WE HAVE ONLY TESTED 31 SO WE ARE NOT OVERWHELMED. WE HAVE THE CAPABILITY OF DOING MANY MORE THAN THAT EVERY DAY. JUST MAKING AN ASSUMPTION THAT THERE MIGHT BE A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION, WE HAVE SUFFICIENT SUPPLIES FOR THOSE TESTS. PEOPLE REFER TO IT AS TEST KITS. TEST KITS ARE FOR THE LABS AND EACH KIT FOR US PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY FOR 500 TESTS. WE ONE TEST KIT AND A SECOND ONE. WE HAVE THE CAPABILITY OF OVER 1000 TESTS AT THIS POINT IN TIME. AND WE HAVE TESTED 31. WE HAVE ADDITIONAL LABS COMING ONLINE FOR TESTING AS WELL AND THEY WILL HAVE THE TEST KITS AS WELL. >> WHAT IS THE CONDITION OF THE TWO CONFIRMED POSITIVE PATIENTS? >> ALL OF THE PATIENTS REPORTED PRESUMPTIVE POSITIVE OR CONFIRMED POSITIVE ARE IN STABLE CONDITION AND DOING WELL DURING BOTH THOSE HOSPITALIZED AND AT HOME. >> IT WAS TALKED ABOUT SATURDAY PROCEDURES FOR THE HOSPITALS. HAVE THERE BEEN ANY OTHER GUIDELINES GIVEN? >>DHC IS PROVIDING ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE WITH THE CDC FOR FACILITIES AND PROVIDING ASSISTANCE FOR THE INFECTION SECTION FOR FACILITIES. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS ABOUT PROTOCOL AND PROCEDURES. WE ARE ASSISTING WITH INFECTION CONTROL PRACTICES AND HOSPITALS ARE FOLLOWING THE GUIDELINES FOR VARIOUS LEVELS OF ISOLATION. NO CHANGES TO HOSPITAL PROCEDURE STATEWIDE AT THIS TIME. WE CAN TO NEW TO DISSEMINATE GUIDANCE FROM THE CDC AS NEW RECOMMENDATIONS,. IS THERE ANY PROJECTED IMPACT ON HEALTH CARE WORKERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE? >> BECAUSE HEALTH CARE WORKERS ROUTINELY HAVE FACE-TO-FACE CONTACT WITH THOSE ILL, WENT TO MAKE SURE THAT HEALTH CARE WORKERS HAVE AND USE APPROPRIATE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT TO PREVENT THEM FROM BEING EXPOSED. THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE AS WE INFORM INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE ILL IF THEY SUSPECT THEY HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT THAT THEY MUST REPORT TO A HEALTH CARE FACILITY FIRST AND THAT THEY HAVE THAT SUSPICION SO THAT HEALTH CARE FACILITIES CAN TAKE APPROPRIATE MEASURES TO PREVENT UNRECOGNIZED EXPOSURE OR HAVE INDIVIDUALS SITTING IN AN EMERGENCY ROOM OR DEPARTMENT WHERE HEALTH-CARE WORKERS MIGHT BE EXPOSED. >> DO HAVE THE PROPER STOCKS -- SUPPLIES OF MASKS? >> WE LEAVE WE HAVE EVERYTHING. THERE MAY BE DELAYS IN DELIVERY WE WOULD ASK THE HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION OR HEALTH CARE FACILITIES TO RESPOND TO THAT SPECIFICALLY. >> AS FAR AS THE FUNDING, WHERE IS THAT COMING FOR THE TEST KITS AND WILL WE NEED MORE? >> THE FUNDING IS COMING FROM OUR FUNDS, BUT THE U.S. GOVERNMENT HAS APPROVED EITHER EIGHT POINT THREE OR $8.9 BILLION TO BE DISTRIBUTED AND THEY ARE WORKING ON THAT METHODOLOGY AS TO HOW TO APPROPRIATELY DISTRIBUTE THOSE FUNDS TO THE VARIOUS STATES, D.C., AND PUERTO RICO AS WELL AS TO THE TRIBAL ENTITIES WITHIN THE NATION. THERE ARE ADDITIONAL FUNDS THAT WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AND THAT WILL BE VERY IMPORTANT AS THIS CONTINUES BECAUSE WE DO EXPAND DOLLARS AND IT IS WONDERFUL FOR THE U.S. GOVERNMENT TO STEP UP TO HELP PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN THIS EXPENSE. >> WE KNOW THAT WASHING HANDS FOR 20 SECONDS, CAN YOU CONFIRM WHETHER OR NOT THE TEMPERATURE OF WATER AFFECTS WHETHER OR NOT IT KILLS GERMS QUESTION MARK WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT SOME SCHOOLS ACROSS SOUTH CAROLINA DON’T HAVE ACCESS TO HOT WATER. >> THE TEMPERATURE OF THE WATER DOES NOT MATTER IN TERMS OF GERM KILLING IS COMFORTABLE AND GET IT HOT ENOUGH TO KILL GERMS. IT IS THE SOAP IN THE WARM WATER THAT IS RECOMMENDED IN THE SOAP IS WHAT IS EFFECTIVE. THE TEMPERATURE DOESN’T MATTER. >> WE KNOW THE TWO CONFIRMED POSITIVE CASES WAS A 30-YEAR-OLD AND ONE IN 80 -- AT 80 YEARS OLD. CAN WE GET THE AGE RANGE OF THE OTHER PRESUMPTIVE CASES? >> WE JUST REFER TO THEM AS ADULTS. BECAUSE THE ACTUAL AGE OF INDIVIDUALS REALLY DOESN’T MATTER. WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT FOR THE POPULATION TO BE AWARE, AS THE GOVERNOR SAID, OF THOSE WHO ARE AT RISK FOR POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS. IT IS OLDER INDIVIDUALS WHO CAN POTENTIALLY EXPERIENCE COMPLICATIONS, BUT THE AGES OF ACTUAL CAS IS NOT OF NECESSARY IMPORTANCE IN TERMS O WHAT WE DO DIFFERENTLY FROM A PUBLIC HEALTH PERSPECTIVE. >> SENT ALL THE PRESUMPTIVE CASES WERE IN STABLE CONDITION. ARE THEY ALL IN GOOD CONDITION? >> THEY ARE ALL IN GOOD CONDITION. >> ARE WE EXPECTING THIS VIRUS TO GO WELL INTO THE SPRING? >> BECAUSE THIS IS A NOVEL VIRUS AND WE HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED IT IN A WARM SEASON, THAT IS UNKNOWN, BUT WE ARE LOOKING AT OTHER VIRUSES THAT ARE GENETICALLY SIMILAR TO THIS AND RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES TEND TO BE MORE ACTIVE IN THE WINTER MONTHS , BUT THIS PARTICULAR VIRUS IS MORE -- WE HAVE HAD MORE TRANSMISSION INTERNATIONALLY AND WE SAW WITH OTHER GENETICALLY SIMILAR VIRUSES. IT IS UNKNOWN IF WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEE HIGH ACTIVITY. >> ARE THERE ANY CAROLINA -- SOUTH CAROLINA’S RESTRICTED FROM COMING BACK FROM TROUBLE. >> IF SOUTH CAROLINIANS ARE BEING DETAINED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS, I AM NOT SURE. IS THERE ANY PARTICULAR MESSAGE FOR THOSE ON HEIGHTENED AWARENESS AND WHERE THERE MIGHT BE COMMUNITY SPREAD? >> WE WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT JUST BECAUSE WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THESE CASES, THAT THE MESSAGE WE HAVE ALWAYS GIVEN IS REALLY THE SAME PAIR WHAT IS NEEDED IS FOR PEOPLE TO TAKE THAT MESSAGE SERIOUSLY. IT IS THE SAME MESSAGE WE GIVE DURING EVERY FLU SEASON TO STAY HOME WHEN YOU ARE SICK. WE BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE OFTEN DON’T TAKE THAT MESSAGE SERIOUSLY. WHAT WE NEED NOT A DIFFERENT MESSAGE BUT A BEHAVIOR CHANGE SO PEOPLE TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROTECTING THEIR COWORKERS AND THEIR COMMUNITY FROM DISEASE FRAUD BECAUSE IF PEOPLE ARE ILL, WE ASK THAT THEY NOT BE OUT AND ABOUT AND THAT THEY LIMIT THEIR ACTIVITY FROM PUBLIC GATHERINGS FROM WORK AND FROM SCHOOL. >> FOR THOSE WHO ARE ALREADY AFFECTED, IS IT POSSIBLE FOR THEM TO GET IT AGAIN? >> THE POSSIBILITY OF REINFECTION WITH THE SAME VIRUS, BECAUSE THIS IS A NEW VIRUS AND IT IS UNKNOWN, IT IS UNLIKELY. >> WE TALK ABOUT THINGS LIKE HURRICANES IN THE STORES AND HAND SANITIZERS DISAPPEARING. IS THERE ANY WAY TO MINIMIZE THAT RUSSIA --? . >> WE JUST ASK EVERYONE

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