Staff reports

Greenville News and Independent Mail

Note: The coronavirus outbreak is a rapidly developing event, and this story contains information that was only updated through March 23, 2020. Some of the information here may have changed because of the breaking nature of the pandemic; updates are reflected in more current stories. For our the latest on the coronavirus outbreak and its impact on South Carolina visit greenvillenews.com or independentmail.com.

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City of Greenville sets downtown curfew, will close Falls Park

Downtown Greenville's business district will be under an 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew beginning Wednesday. Falls Park will also close for the foreseeable future.

City council approved the curfew during a virtual meeting Monday evening.The curfew is meant to help law enforcement clear the downtown area once businesses are closed for the night. It will expire after 60 days unless the council votes to remove it early or extend it.

Use of the Swamp Rabbit Trail was not addressed by council members or the administration. The city early Monday announced that it would close tennis, basketball and volleyball courts.

There wasn't a proposal on the table to close other city parks, though City Manager John McDonough said the governor's 3-person order could impact how the city approaches use of public spaces and will require review.

Acting Police Chief Howie Thompson said he will increase police force in the downtown area and have police cars patrol with blue lights steady on. Thompson said police will rotate patrols in city parks.

Read the full story here.

– Eric Connor

Fountain Inn establishes state of emergency, to conduct council meetings virtually

Fountain Inn City Council passed an emergency ordinance Monday night that establishes a state of emergency and authorizes and outlines a plan for the city to conduct its state-mandated monthly city council meetings virtually. The meetings will still be accessible to the public, just via virtual means.

The city administrator, Shawn Bell, is also authorized to cancel public events and close public facilities. Bell said city parks will close to the public Monday night and added that the city's planned ribbon cutting for the new Emanuel Sullivan Sports Complex on April 3 has been canceled.

Under the ordinance, non-essential employees will be allowed to work remotely and Bell is authorized to discontinue non-essential city services and allow some employees to not report for work and still continue to receive full pay and benefits.

The ordinance is now in effect and will last for 60 days, automatically expiring on the 61st day since it was enacted.

– Gabe Cavallaro

Rep. William Timmons reacts to halted coronavirus relief package

Congressman William Timmons issued a statement Monday evening criticizing Democrats in the Senate for blocking a coronavirus relief package from advancing.

“All the partisanship and dysfunction in Washington right now are preventing South Carolina’s small businesses, families, and workers from getting the help they need during this health crisis," Timmons said in an emailed statement. "We do not have time to waste. There were bipartisan negotiations in the Senate on this package, but when it came time to move forward, Senate Democrats reversed course. Now the Speaker of the House wants to start from square one while businesses are closing and Americans are hurting."

He continued, “One of my colleagues from across the aisle suggested this much-needed package is an opportunity to ‘restructure things to fit our vision.’ A global pandemic is not the time for securing an ideological wish-list, partisan games, or passing policies that have nothing to do with the COVID-19 outbreak. We must focus on the crisis at hand and deliver for the American people.”

– Haley Walters

Income tax deadline pushed to July

The South Carolina Department of Revenue announced Monday evening the due date for income tax returns and payments originally due April 15 will be moved to July 15.

– Haley Walters

South Cove County Park announces closures

High Falls County Park, South Cove County Park and Chau Ram County Park will be closed until further notice. The closure goes into effect Wednesday, March 25 at noon. All buildings, restrooms and day use areas will close to the public.

Camping reservations are being canceled and refunds are being issued through April 30. That date will change as needed.

Boat ramp access points on Lake Keowee and Lake Hartwell that are managed by Oconee County will remain open for boat launch traffic. No other entry is allowed to the parks.

– Haley Walters

Takeaways from Governor’s media briefing

Gov. Henry McMaster

McMaster is directing law enforcement officers to prohibit or disperse any gathering or congregation of more than three people or more. He said it is an old state statute that is used during emergencies. It will be a misdemeanor if violated.

The statute mostly applies to things like parties at the beach, public gatherings and groups gathered outside. It doesn't apply to people in their homes, conducting business or buying groceries. Law enforcement is asked to use their discretion when ordering crowds to disperse.

He urged people to stay home, adding, "We must all assume we have the virus and we must all assume the people we are talking to have the virus."

There are more than 15,000 state employees working from home and more than 15,000 working from offices. He hopes to see 75% of state employees working from home.

A shelter in place order has not been issued in South Carolina. He said it is a drastic action that he hopes won’t be necessary.

McMaster said it’s important to keep washing your hands and don’t touch your face. He urged people to practice social distancing and use common sense.

Dr. Linda Bell, DHEC

There are 298 cases of COVID-19 across 34 counties in the state.

The number of cases in Greenville County increased to 31, up 12 from yesterday. The number of cases in Anderson County is 15, up five from yesterday.

The exact location of cases are not reported because Bell said it can create a false sense of security if a person's neighborhood isn't identified.

Bell said anyone who needs to care for someone sick with COVID-19 at home should follow guidelines from DHEC and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

People who are seriously ill with COVID-19 are over the age of 65. There has been one infant who tested positive in South Carolina.

South Carolina is expected to begin to see a more rapid increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, Bell said.

Read the full story here.

– Haley Walters

DHEC reports 2 more are dead

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control said Monday two more deaths related to the novel coronavirus have come. A total of five people in the state have died from causes related to COVID-19 since the outbreak was first reported in the state two weeks ago.

One of the newly dead was an elderly person from Clarendon County who had underlying health conditions. The other was an elderly person from Kershaw County who also had underlying health conditions.

There are nearly 300 cases statewide, as of Monday afternoon.

Deaths related to coronavirus have been reported so far in Charleston County, Clarendon County, Kershaw County, Lexington County and Florence County.

– Haley Walters

SC Department of Education suspends state assessments

South Carolina's Department of Education has suspended standardized assessments for the remainder of the school year, the agency announced Monday.

State Superintendent Molly Spearman said last week that she would seek a waiver to suspend all standardized tests in the wake of statewide school closures because of the novel coronavirus.

The federal Department of Education granted Spearman's waiver just a few days after President Donald Trump announced that federally mandated tests would be suspended.

The suspension means the following tests will not be given:

SC READY

SCPASS

End-of-Course Examination Program (English, Algebra, Biology, United States History and the Constitution) the requirement that these exams count 20% has been waived

Prekindergarten assessments

Alternate assessments

– Elizabeth LaFleur

City of Greenville closes volleyball, tennis and basketball courts

The use of basketball, tennis and volleyball courts in Greenville city parks is being prohibited for the time being, though the parks remain open.

“The city is continuing to take measured steps designed to protect our citizens, urge social distancing and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community,” the city said in a written statement posted on community social media.

This past Saturday in Cleveland Park, when the sun was out and temperatures were in the 80s, there was a wait for the crowded tennis courts, and basketball games were on as well as volleyball matches.

The city has kept its parks open to the public, but it took measures like banning use of playground equipment because the equipment can’t be sanitized effectively to protect from the virus.

The closure of courts won’t affect use of park restrooms, which will remain open. The city said it has contracted with an outside agency to clean the restrooms multiple times a day.

– Elizabeth LaFleur

Boeing worker in SC catches coronavirus

Boeing's "Airport Campus" plant in Charleston has reported that one of its workers is sick with the novel coronavirus.

Company spokesperson Libba Holland submitted a statement to The Greenville News that Boeing is "providing its full support" to the worker.

"This is the first Boeing South Carolina teammate with a confirmed case of COVID-19," Holland wrote. "The teammate is now in quarantine receiving the care and treatment necessary for their recovery. We have notified our teammates, are conducting thorough cleaning of the work areas and common spaces, and are following the advice of public health officials."

She said that the company has asked coworkers who were in close contact with the sick employee to self-quarantine.

– Elizabeth LaFleur

Simpsonville restricts access to public facilities

The city of Simpsonville is restricting access to many of its public facilities due to the novel coronavirus.

In a release shared Monday, city officials said there will be no public access to the following facilities:

► Activity & Senior Center

► CentrePlex at Heritage Park

► Alder, City, Heritage and College Street parks

► The Dog Spot

► All fire stations, including the administration building and Public Works offices

City Hall has also been closed to the public, but staff continues to work and can be reached by phone at 864-967-9526

The Simpsonville Police Department will remain open during normal business hours; however, all non- emergency reports will only be taken by phone to minimize contact.

– Elizabeth LaFleur

Greenville Literacy Association launches online programs for students

Greenville Literacy Association is launching online programs to help bridge educational gaps for students as the work through the school year with online learning.

Find out more at greenvilleliteracy.org.

– Elizabeth LaFleur

Bon Secours launches free virtual COVID-19 screenings

Bon Secours Health System is now offering free virtual visits for anyone who believes they may have the novel coronavirus.

Patients can use the free visit if they're showing possible symptoms of the virus or may have had an exposure to someone who was diagnosed with a positive case.

The service if intended for non-emergency use.

To get a free virtual visit, go to bonsecours247.com or downtown the Bon Secours 24/7 app. Use the coupon code CARE2020 for the free visit.

– Elizabeth LaFleur

Christ Church Episcopal School informs parents of two potential COVID-19 cases

Christ Church Episcopal School informed parents over the weekend of two possible cases of the novel coronavirus connected to the school. One case involved a student, the other a parent of a different student.

Both cases were self-reported to the school and have not yet been confirmed by DHEC.

Read the full story here.

– Ariel Gilreath

Car honks are the new amen as pastor uses drive-in movie theaters as inspiration for worship

The neighborhood might kick us out, Pastor Phil Sears joked, as his congregation laid on their car horns in place of their usual chorus of amen.

"This was my amen hand," Sears said, picking his left hand up as he stood just outside the doors of his church. "Now it's my horn hand."

The cars and trucks, parked in the lot to see him, honked louder in response.

Read the full story here.

– Mike Ellis

Social distancing has changed how we commonly interact

Social distancing.

Two words that have changed lives as we try to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

No large gatherings, we’re told. Keep your distance from others because being close is the way the virus is spread.

But that can be hard to do, said John A. McArthur, an associate professor of communications studies at Furman University who researches the issue.

“Social distancing is a technique we can use to push ourselves away from people… (to be) out of arm’s reach from other people,” McArthur told The Greenville News.

“But that feels so abnormal. We’re so used to showing that we care for people by moving closer to them. But the way we show care with social distancing is by not moving closer to them.”

Read the full story here.

– Liv Osby

In Greenville's Italian sister city, the coronavirus is leaving a wake of sickness

Greenville chef Nello Gioia speaks with his friends in the northern Italian city of Bergamo every day. Sometimes twice a day.

Each conversation, Gioia learns of worsening conditions in his hometown. Since early March, the coronavirus has ravaged the population, overrunning hospitals, funeral homes and crematoriums.

The city, at the foot of the Italian Alps about an hour's drive northeast of Milan, has been on lockdown for weeks, and stricter restrictions were enacted this weekend, shutting down all manufacturing plants and factories in the city until mid-April, according to province politician Niccolò Carretta.

A recent report from the Associated Press highlighted the dire situation in the vibrant city: The Italian Army is transporting human remains to nearby towns because cemeteries and funeral homes are over-capacity – one Bergamese funeral home handled 611 services in 18 days.

Read the full story here.

– Zoe Nicholson

Here's what to know this morning

33 of South Carolina's 46 counties have at least one positive coronavirus test. Pickens, Oconee and Laurens are among the Upstate counties yet to see a positive case of the coronavirus, but numbers are subject to change as DHEC tests more potential cases.

There have been a total of 195 cases in South Carolina with three deaths.

Here's a look at what happened over the weekend.

Sunny weather brought people to downtown Greenville over the weekend, and while some visitors said they weren't concerned, many were still practicing safe social distancing.

Relentless Church will hold grocery giveaways Monday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 635 Haywood Road, Greenville. They have food, clothing and other necessities available.

The purchase of beer and wine by curbside and to-go orders was approved by Gov. Henry McMaster Saturday. Restaurants can only sell sealed containers. The executive order does not apply to deliveries.

– Haley Walters