By Stan Welch
The latest figures about the coronavirus released by the Anderson Emergency Management Division confirm a significant change in the course and pace of the virus. The trend downward in new cases has become more apparent in recent weeks.
The numbers are based on the various zip codes located within the county. Of the thirteen zip codes reporting, only one saw an increase in new cases. Zip code 29626, in Anderson city limits, saw an increase of three new cases. All other areas either saw reductions or stayed stagnant in terms of increased cases. Across the four zip codes in Anderson, an overall decrease of nine cases was experienced.
Sadly, the number of deaths attributed wholly or in part to the COVID-19 virus increased by ten. Seventy of the county’s two hundred thousand plus residents have died from the virus, according to DHEC. That is a mortality rate of.00003 per cent.
The number of new cases has been flat in all of the county’s municipalities over the last fourteen days. (The number of cases included in the following information has remained steady or fallen in each of the towns mentioned. The numbers are reported according to zip codes.)
Pelzer, Piedmont, and Williamston have reported no new cases. Pelzer and Piedmont remained flat, while Williamston saw a reduction of four reported cases. Honea Path, Starr, and Iva all saw the case numbers decrease. Pendleton remined flat as well. There have been a total of 2596 cases reported in Anderson County since March. Of those, 475 of those cases are still active, while 2051 are now deemed inactive.
Baker says that the rate of COVID related deaths has accelerated, but he points out that all of the deaths are formulaic; i.e., the victims were elderly and/or had underlying health issues that made them especially vulnerable.
Baker added that while the curve seems to have flattened, there are some groups still especially susceptible to exposure.
“I just want to remind remind everyone that the first responders, whether EMTs, police officers, or firemen are at special risk because of the services they perform,” Baker said. “These folks are really doing heroic work, and they should be remembered, and thanked for their sacrifice.”
These figures were released by the Anderson County Emergency Management Division on August 17.
