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AND THE NEXT STEP TOWARD AN NCAA TITLE. WE BEGIN WITH BREAKING NEWS. FOUR NEW CASES OF CORONAVIRUS UNDER INVESTIGATION RIGHT NOW, IN SOUTH CAROLINA. ONE OF THEM RIGHT HERE IN THE UPSTATE. DHEC OFFICIALS SAYING THAT PERSON IS A MAN FROM SPARTANBURG. ANOTHER CASE WAS REPORTED IN CAMDEN AND TWO OTHER PEOPLE HAVE TESTED POSITIVE AFTER HAVING DIRECT CONTACT WITH A CAMDEN WOMAN WHO PREVIOUSLY TESTED POSITIVE. OUR TAGGART HOUCK IS IN STUDIO WITH MORE. TAG? >> THIS BRINGS THE TOTAL PRESUMPTIVE POSITIVE CASES IN SOUTH CAROLINA TO SIX. LET’S START WITH THE MAN FROM SPARTANBURG. DHEC OFFICIALS TELLING U HE RECENTLY TRAVELED TO ITALY. THEY DON’T BELIEVE HE’S HAD ANY CONTACT WITH ANY OF THE OTHER PATIENTS. HE’S CURRENTLY IN ISOLATION AT HOME. TWO OF THE 4 NEW CASES ARE PEOPLE WHO HAD FACE TO FACE CONTACT WITH THE ELDERLY WOMAN IN CAMDEN WHO WAS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED AS TESTING POSITIVE. ONE OF THEM, A WOMAN IS HOSPITALIZED FOR UNRELATED REASONS AND IS IN ISOLATION. THE OTHER AN ELDERLY MAN IS IN ISOLATION AT HOME AFTER HE WAS DISCHARGED FROM A HEALTH CARE FACILITY. THE 4TH CASE IS A WOMAN FROM CAMDEN WHO -- WOMAN WHO OFFICIALS SAY THEY DON’T BELIEVE SHE CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE PREVIOUS PATIENT. SHE’S CURRENTLY IN ISOLATION AT HOME. D-HEC OFFICIALS JUST DID A BRIEFING OVER THE PHONE. HERE’S WHAT THE STATE EPIDEMIOLOGIST HAD TO SAY. >> I WOULD LIKE TO REMPHASIZE THAT EACH OF US HAS AN IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITY TO OUR FRIENDS FAMILY AND COWORKERS TO STAY HOME WHEN YOU ARE SICK AND T CONTINUE TO PRACTICE GOOD HYGIENE. >> THE ELDERLY WOMAN IN CAMDEN IS ISOLATED AT PRISMA HEALTH , RICHLAND COUNTY.

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Department of Health and Environmental Control officials say they are investigating four new presumptive positive cases of the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, in South Carolina.In a media release, officials say a man from Spartanburg County has tested positive for COVID-19. They say he recently traveled to Italy, and at this time, has no known connection to any other presumptive cases in the state. He is currently in isolation at home.Latest from DHEC CDC website(Video above: Gov. McMaster speaks on Saturday, March 6, about two presumptive positive cases.)Officials say two of the cases are people who had direct contact with a woman from Camden, who previously tested positive for COVID-19. One woman is hospitalized for unrelated reasons, and is isolated at this time. The other individual is an elderly man, who was temporarily admitted to a health care facility, then released, and is currently isolated at home.2 South Carolina students possibly exposed to coronavirus in self-isolation Possible coronavirus patient taken to different SC hospital Greenville officials talk about preparations Greenville County Schools talks about preparationsThe fourth case, DHEC says, is a woman from Camden, who was evaluated at a health care facility and is now in isolation at home. They say she has no known connection to the other cases.State Department urging US citizens not to travel by cruise ship “We now have evidence of community spread that’s likely to be causing these initial cases in Camden in Kershaw County and the risk of spread to other communities is possible, as seen in other states across the country,” said Dr. Linda Bell, state epidemiologist. “We are working with the CDC and state and local officials to limit community spread while continuing with our protocol for identifying travel-related cases in the state.” Latest on COVID-19 in North CarolinaLatest on COVID-19 in Georgia Presumptive positive means these samples tested positive at DHEC's Public Health Laboratory, but have not yet been confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to DHEC.In line with CDC guidance, the department does not recommend closing schools or canceling public events at this time. DHEC will monitor absentee rates in schools and businesses as well as reports of illness in the community to determine if or when closures may be recommended.As of Sunday afternoon, DHEC has tested a total of 18 individuals for COVID-19, which includes the six presumptive positives. The remaining tests are negative. DHEC will update the public as soon as the confirmatory test results from the CDC are available, and as other new information is known.“We understand residents will have concerns about this new indication of community spread, however, I urge the public to remain calm and follow recommendations to prevent the spread of illness. Public health events like this one are not new to South Carolina,” Bell said. “As a state, we have responded to Zika, the H1N1 influenza pandemic, SARS, and others – including seasonal flu outbreaks, and our medical consultants conduct more than 700 disease investigations each year for a variety of illnesses. We have trained, prepared, and put systems in place to ensure that we are prepared and ready to respond to this and other events.”At this time, DHEC says precautions are recommended to maintain daily routines of protecting against illness by practicing good hygiene, washing your hands and covering your cough. Individuals with signs of illness should stay home from school and work and not attend public gatherings. Residents who are showing symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath should call their personal doctor or healthcare provider. If an individual doesn’t have a primary care physician, MUSC Health is providing free telehealth screening to all South Carolinians. Anyone experiencing symptoms can visit MUSC.care and use the promo code COVID19 and be screened without having to leave your home. The DHEC Care Line is available to provide general information about COVID-19 by calling 1-855-472-3432 from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. seven days a week. The Care Line hours are extended to 9 p.m. tonight. Because call volume has been high, callers are urged to be patient if they receive a busy signal and try their call at a later time. For general questions about COVID-19, visit the DHEC website at scdhec.gov/COVID19 or the CDC website here. Gov. Henry McMaster released the following statement in response to the news:"Healthcare authorities in South Carolina are following established protocols and procedures in addressing the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. There is no cause for public alarm or speculation. It’s important to remember that each individual is responsible for their own actions and personal hygiene. If you feel sick, stay home and contact your doctor. Or from your home, you can consult with a doctor for free with MUSC’s online web site at: https://MUSC.care. South Carolinians should continue to follow recommendations and information provided by official sources."Related articles: