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Greenville Business Magazine

Gov. McMaster Orders All South Carolina Public Schools Closed As Coronavirus Threat Spreads

Mar 15, 2020 05:42PM ● By David Dykes

Gov. Henry McMaster on Sunday ordered all South Carolina public schools closed through the end of March as the state escalates its efforts to fight the virus that has upended communities, business and everyday life.

McMaster also urged public gatherings be limited to 100 people or fewer.

He urged calm as the coronavirus reaches more pockets of South Carolina and said he hoped the faith community would check on the elderly and infirmed.

Churches were closed Sunday, shoppers flocked to grocery stores to stock up on food and other supplies and residents throughout the state struggled to adapt to a contagion raging across the nation.

Meanwhile, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control said Sunday it is investigating nine additional cases of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus. That brings the total number of cases statewide to 28.

As the state’s case counts expectedly increase, DHEC will publicly report information about facilities and locations that impacted communities should be aware of where special precautions may be needed.

“We emphasize the importance of practicing disease prevention measures and following recommendations for social distancing to protect our community as a whole,” said Dr. Linda Bell, state epidemiologist.