The county’s twice-weekly pandemic total rose to 50 patients today, with the addition of 23 inmates at Tabor Correctional Facility.
State guidelines require prison illnesses to be added to county totals, according to Kim Smith of the Columbus County Health Department.
Outside of those totals, the COVID-19 virus is still turning up almost daily in Columbus County. In addition to 23 from the prison on July 13, three more cases were confirmed. Three new cases were diagnosed on July 14, eight on July 15, and thirteen new cases on July 16 (today).
The Health Department reports that 6,340 tests have been completed here. Five county residents are hospitalized, and 404 people have recovered. A total of 39 deaths here have been linked to the virus.
Columbus County provides COVID-19 statistics twice per week.
Smith said that masks and hygiene are still keys to reducing the spread of the virus.
“We can all do something to decrease the spread and flatten the curve,” she said.