COVID-19: Resources

Emerging Novel Coronavirus Outbreak

DHEC is closely monitoring a rapidly emerging outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). DHEC is investigating multiple cases of COVID-19 in South Carolina.

If you have fever, cough or shortness of breath, call your doctor or healthcare provider to discuss your concerns or get medical care. You can also use MUSC Health’s virtual visit by using the promo code “COVID19.”

For general questions about COVID-19, the DHEC Care Line is here to help. Call 1-855-472-3432. Staff are answering calls from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week.

Resources for South Carolina – SCDHEC.gov

If you have general questions about COVID-19, call the DHEC Care Line at 1-855-472-3432 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily.

Overview

Downloads & Links

COVID-19 Information and 14-Day Monitoring Worksheet

CDC Frequently Asked Questions

DHEC Frequently Asked Questions

Resources & Guidance

Testing & SC Data

DHEC Response Activities

Background Information

CDC Travelers from Countries with Ongoing Transmission Arriving in the US

CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and Children

Water Management & COVID-19

Educational & Outreach Materials

DHEC News Releases & Videos

CDC Situation Summary

S.C.Emergency Management Division

Download the 14-Day Temperature & Symptom Monitoring Worksheet

Click for printable FACT SHEETS

Click for Communication Resources from the CDC

SBA Lenders Serving South Carolina - SEARCH

SBA Lenders Serving South Carolina - PDF (not in real time)

FDIC COVID-19 FAQ for Financial Institutions

FDIC COVID-19 FAQ for Customer

FDIC Q&As on Statement Regarding the Use of Capital and Liquidity Buffers

ABA COVID-19 & Banking FAQs

ABA COVID-19 Resources

ABA COVID-19 Bank Response

Preferred Vendor Resources

About coronaviruses and the current COVID-19 outbreak

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more serious diseases such as pneumonia, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), and Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). COVID-19 was originally thought to have spread from animal to person, but person-to-person spread is now occurring.

Outbreaks of novel virus infections are public health concerns. The risk of COVID-19 infections in South Carolina depends on multiple factors, including the likelihood of travelers from affected areas, how easily the virus may spread from person to person and the effectiveness of measures to prevent community spread. COVID-19 is not wide-spread in the U.S. at this time, though it is likely that this illness will become a pandemic.

Illness Severity

Both MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV have been known to cause severe illness in people. The complete clinical picture with regard to COVID-19 is not fully understood. Reported illnesses have ranged from mild to severe, including illness resulting in death. Learn more about the symptoms associated with COVID-19.

Prevention

DHEC and the CDC currently recommend avoiding all nonessential travel to China, Iran, Italy, and South Korea, as well as following the CDC’s recommendations regarding travel to other countries affected by COVID-19.

This is a rapidly evolving public health event, and DHEC takes every new infectious disease seriously. DHEC continues to encourage people who are unvaccinated to get the flu vaccine. This protects individuals and the public and reduces confusion of more common respiratory illnesses with possible COVID-19 illnesses.

Other steps South Carolinians can take to help stay healthy include:

washing your hands,
covering your cough,
staying home when you’re sick, and
appropriately disposing tissues and other items that you’ve sneezed or coughed into.

CDC Outbreak Response Activities

CDC and DHEC are mounting an aggressive public health response strategy to identify potential cases early, assure they receive appropriate care, and prevent additional spread when possible.
The CDC and U.S. Customs and Border Protection are implementing enhanced health screenings to detect travelers with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing when entering the U.S. from some countries.
CDC has issued Health Alerts, including guidance on key matters such as how to identify individuals who should be considered persons under investigation (PUI) for COVID-19 infection and reporting to local/state health departments. DHEC also shared the CDC’s alert with those in South Carolina enrolled to receive Health Alerts.
CDC has developed guidance outlining appropriate precautions for healthcare workers caring for ill patients in health care settings and homes of people with COVID-19 who do not require hospitalization.
On Jan. 31, 2020, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency for the U.S.
On February 28, 2020, CDC and DHEC issued a Health Alert Network (HAN): Update and Interim Guidance on Outbreak of COVID-19.

How CDC and DHEC are working together

CDC has been proactively preparing for the introduction of COVID-19 in the U.S. for weeks, including alerting clinicians about how to detect, report and diagnose COVID-19 and prevent spread and providing guidance for travelers.

As the state’s lead public health agency, DHEC is taking proactive steps to be prepared for potential cases in South Carolina, including remaining updated on and following the latest CDC recommendations related to surveillance, evaluation, and response.

Highlights of DHEC Response Activities

DHEC is investigating multiple cases of COVID-19 in South Carolina. DHEC continues to monitor CDC developments and guidance daily and has taken the following proactive steps to protect the health of the public:

Developed tools for the investigation of suspected and confirmed COVID-19 cases and provided training to epidemiology staff across the state to investigate and report cases.
Communicated information to hospital laboratories, infection preventionists, and physicians to keep them informed about how to identify and report possible cases to DHEC.
Held an informational briefing for legislators and reporters on COVID-19 preparations and activities in South Carolina on Jan. 29, 2020.
Held a teleconference for hospital public information officers (PIOs) on Jan. 31, 2020.
With Governor McMaster, convened a meeting with the Public Health Emergency Plan Committee to discuss updates on the virus on Jan. 31, 2020.
Provided an update for hospital executives at the South Carolina Hospital Association annual meeting on Feb. 5, 2020.
Briefed the S.C. Board of Health and Environmental Control on COVID-19 preparations and activities in South Carolina on Feb. 13, 2020.
Held a teleconference for South Carolina university and college PIOs on Feb. 14, 2020.
On February 28, 2020, CDC and DHEC issued a HAN: Update and Interim Guidance on Outbreak of COVID-19.
On March 2, 2020, DHEC joined Governor McMaster to convene the Public Health Emergency Plan Committee to discuss the potential impact of COVID-19 to South Carolinians.
On March 5, 2020, DHEC issued a HAN: Updated and Interim Guidance for SC Healthcare Providers on Evaluating Patients and Testing for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
On March 6, 2020, DHEC issued a news release and held a telebriefing with media across the state about the state’s first two presumptive positive cases of COVID-19.
On March 8, 2020, DHEC issued a news release and held a telebriefing with media across the state about the additional four presumptive positive cases of COVID-19.
On March 9, 2020, DHEC issued a news release and participated in the Governor’s press briefing with media about an additional presumptive positive case of COVID-19.

The agency also will continue to connect with schools, businesses, state agencies, at-risk groups and others in order to respond to COVID-19.

Monitoring & Testing (COVID-19) in South Carolina. See the numbers.

DHEC Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers – (PDF)
DHEC Mass Gatherings Guidance on Novel Coronavirus or COVID-19 – (PDF)
CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Information for Businesses
American Bankers Association — A compilation of pandemic planning and business continuity resources relevant to banks.
Society for Human Resource Management — Information on how to prepare your workforce for the potential issues that can come during a communicable disease outbreak.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration — Information for workers and employers about the evolving coronavirus outbreak.
Family and Medical Leave Act — Explanation of FMLA eligibility for coronavirus-associated absences.
Automated Clearing House — Reminder from the National Automated Clearing House Association on responsibilities of financial institutions potentially impacted by coronavirus.
Regulatorary Agencies — Joint statement from federal regulatory agencies encouraging banks to work with borrowers affected by coronavirus.
Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers — Recommended strategies and planning considerations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Business Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist — A planning checklist from the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
FFIEC Interagency Statement on Pandemic Planning — Actions that financial institutions should take to minimize the potential adverse effects of a pandemic from the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council.
Tips for Reviewing Emergency Plans — 15 tips for how to address COVID-19 in your bank’s emergency plans.