Full Notification

At 4:00 p.m. today (Sunday, March 15, 2020), Governor Henry McMaster is holding a press conference on coronavirus (COVID-19). We encourage Beaufort County residents and guests to watch. You can watch it through these links:
 
https://www.scetv.org/coronavirus

https://www.wistv.com/2020/03/15/sc-governor-update-public-coronavirus-response-sunday-pm/

Resources and information on coronavirus (COVID-19)
 

The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office wants to ensure that you have access to official sources of information on coronavirus (COVID-19), and encourage you to continue reading this advisory. 
 

If you think you may have been exposed or are experiencing symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), do not self-diagnose, please contact the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) Care Line 855-472-3432 or your primary healthcare provider for guidance. Area hospitals ask anyone who is experiencing symptoms consistent with coronavirus (fever, cough and shortness of breath), or who feels they may have been exposed to coronavirus, to call before going their facilities. The telephone numbers and websites for the primary medical facilities in Beaufort and Jasper counties: Beaufort Memorial Hospital, Hilton Head Hospital and Coastal Carolina Hospital, are listed below:

Beaufort Memorial Hospital 
843-522-5101
https://www.bmhsc.org/news/coronavirus-covid-19-preparations-and-recommendations

Hilton Head Hospital
843-681-6122
https://www.hiltonheadregional.com/

Coastal Carolina Hospital
843-784-8000
https://www.hiltonheadregional.com/location/detail/coastal-carolina-hospital
 

 
The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and Prisma Health offer free virtual health screenings for anyone who believes they may have been exposed and may have contracted coronavirus:

MUSC screenings are available 24-hours-a-day through this website https://campaigns.muschealth.org/virtual-care/index.html using promo code COVID19.

Prisma Health screenings are available online from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. daily and via video 24-hours-a-day through this website https://www.prismahealth.org/virtual-visit/ using promo code COVID19.
 

 
Please see the below CDC and DHEC websites to stay informed on coronavirus (COVID-19), to include prevention, updates on confirmed cases in the United States and other helpful information from experts in the field:

CDC https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

DHEC https://scdhec.gov/health/infectious-diseases/viruses/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19
 

 
How coronavirus (COVID-19) is spread

CDC experts reported coronavirus is contracted the same ways as other respiratory viruses/illnesses: through the air by coughing and sneezing from those with the virus; close personal contact by touching or shaking hands with those having the virus; or by touching an object or surface with the virus on it.

What are the symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19)

The CDC advises that the symptoms of coronavirus are similar to those of other respiratory viruses/illnesses: fever, cough and shortness of breath. The CDC estimates the time from exposure to the virus to symptoms is between 2 and 14 days. As the situation evolves, the CDC experts and public health professionals are continuing to learn more about coronavirus.

Who is at higher risk for serious illness from coronavirus (COVID-19)

Early information out of China, where COVID-19 first started, shows that some people are at higher risk of getting very sick from this illness. This includes:

According to the CDC, “If you are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19 because of your age or because you have a serious long-term health problem, it is extra important for you to take actions to reduce your risk of getting sick with the disease.”

Prevention of coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory viruses/illnesses

Just as in other respiratory viruses, such as influenza (flu) or the common cold, there are steps you can take to prevent becoming infected or spreading coronavirus:

 
We want to remind and thank Beaufort County residents and guests for staying with official government and medical sources for their information about coronavirus (COVID-19), namely the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). While social media can provide solid information on a variety of topics, it also provides an easy avenue for the spread of misinformation. If you choose to get your information on coronavirus through social media, please visit official government and medical agency Facebook, Nextdoor and Twitter sites, as most, if not all agencies, have a presence on social media.

 

 
According to DHEC, there are currently three cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) reported in Beaufort County. We will continue communications on coronavirus (COVID-19) with our DHEC, South Carolina Emergency Management Division and municipal partners, and will keep you informed on impacts it may have on Beaufort County.

The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office cares about your health and safety. We ask you to please continue to remain calm and informed through these concerning times.