COVID cases continue to rise in Columbus County, with the Health Department reporting an additional 25 cases July 11.
The current total cases here is 617, with six recovering in hospitals. 39 deaths have been attributed to the pandemic in our county. The health department will provide another update Thursday.
July 11 marked the highest one day increase in COVID-19 cases statewide, with 2,462 lab confirmed cases. There was also a record 1,093 pandemic patients in hospitals across the state.
State Senator Danny Britt, who represents Columbus County in the legislature, confirmed Friday that he has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. Britt said in a Twitter post that he is recovering at home.
“First, I would like to thank all of you for your prayers and support over the past few days,” Britt posted. “The last few days have been rough, but I am hydrating and resting to help aid in my recovery. I am dealing with soreness and many of the same symptoms thousands of others have dealt with but I’m in good health generally and have strong faith.”
Britt, a Republican, was roundly criticized by Democrats in the State Senate for not always wearing a mask in the state capital. He has a respiratory condition that resulted from his service in the Iraq War.
Gov. Roy Cooper will make an announcement this week regarding schools reopening this fall. The city and county school boards are meeting tonight (Monday) to discuss their responses, including how to handle athletic events.
Regionally, other counties’ numbers are also showing increases in cases, but not deaths.
As of July 11, Bladen reported 438 and four deaths; Robeson 1,632 cases and 43 deaths; Brunswick, 781 and eight; New Hanover 1,461 and seven deaths. Horry County, S.C. has recorded 5,792 cases and 69 deaths.
Statewide, North Carolina has 85,701 cases and 1,503 deaths, while South Carolina has had a total of 56,485 confirmed cases and 950 deaths.
