Three Horry County zip codes among top 10 for most COVID-19 cases in S.C. as virus slowing

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF) – Updated zip code data shows that three of the top 10 areas across South Carolina for COVID-19 cases are in Horry County.

According to data from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, as of Aug. 11, there are 1,285 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in the 29588 zip code, which is in the Myrtle Beach area, since the start of the pandemic. That is the fifth-highest zip code for positive coronavirus cases in the state.

On July 13, there were 905 confirmed cases in the 29588 zip code, representing a 42% increase.

Coming in at No. 8 is another Myrtle Beach area zip code, 29579. There are currently 1,196 confirmed COVID-19 cases, a 34% increase from July 13′s 892, according to DHEC data.

A Conway area zip code – 29526 – had 1,114 cases as of Aug. 11, a 48% increase from 752 on July 13. That is the ninth highest in the state.

Statewide, there have been 102,143 COVID-19 cases in S.C. since the start of the pandemic. Approximately 2,057 people in S.C. have died as a result of the virus.

From June 23 to July 13, these three zip codes each saw case increases in positive cases of more than 200%.

For more information on DHEC’s zip code data, click here.

Across Horry County, many municipalities enacted face mask ordinances that went into effect during the week of Fourth of July in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.

From July 3 to July 17, DHEC data shows the number of confirmed cases county-wide was 2,609. During this time period, Horry County saw its highest single-day case number with 358 cases on the Fourth of July.

Data shows that from July 18 to July 31, there were 1,491 confirmed cases in Horry County. Then, from Aug. 1 to Aug. 10 there were 558 coronavirus cases in Horry County.

On Aug. 11, Horry County reported 27 positive COVID-19 cases.

From March 4 through July 2, there have been 4,020 confirmed COVID-19 cases across all of Horry County. From July 3, when a majority of area mask mandates went into effect, to Aug. 11, there have been 4,686 total coronavirus cases throughout the county, an increase of 17%.