You’ve seen it in state-wide news outlets for the past few weeks, and heard it from sources much larger than our county: Clarendon has the highest rate of COVID-19 cases per capita in the state.
How did Clarendon get to be so infested with the Coronavirus? What are we doing wrong that other counties are doing right? How can we fix this problem before it gets any worse? Hopefully, this article will clear up some of that confusion.
Clarendon currently has a rate of 622.31 cases per every 100,000. However, the population is, on average, 33,000. This is why the actual number of positive cases, at this time, is only 210. However, this is still a cause for concern. Sumter County, our neighbor, only has 228 cases. At first glance, one might say that they have more, so we are better off. However, their average population is 132,420, bringing their rate to only 213.64 per 100,000. This means that 0.62% of Clarendon County's population has the Coronavirus, while Sumter County falls at only 0.21%. This means that citizens living within Clarendon have a much higher chance of contracting the virus.
Even more alarming is the case of Williamsburg County, our other neighbor. They share a similar population, 30,606, however, they have a much smaller rate of infection. Their total number of cases is 67, with a rate of 220 per 100,000, or 0.21%.
Looking past the case rate, we see the death toll. The number of COVID-related deaths in Clarendon has risen to 17, the third-highest in the State. Of these cases, 15 were Elderly, with and without preexisting conditions; the other two were middle-aged individuals.
While COVID-19 has spread to every corner of the county, it seems the areas with the most severe impact are Summerton and Manning. Clarendon holds 11 different zip codes; from the Eastern 29560, 29162, and 29111, to the Western 29102 and 29148. While numbers in the County Seat, Manning, have exceeded 100 (129 with the most recent count), Turbeville is only at eight cases, with the New Zion area of 29111 only having a single confirmed case. Kathryn Turbeville, the mayor of Turbeville, attributes this to her citizen's vigilance.
“We are staying put over here,” said Turbeville. “The citizens of my town are taking this seriously. They go to work, and then they go home.”
Since the outbreak, Turbeville hasn’t seen anyone in large crowds, and no gatherings either. She has even seen a decline in traffic.
“Usually, the streets are fairly busy here, but not so much anymore,” said Turbeville. “We know how dangerous this is.”
While case number could tie exclusively to how well a community is following guidelines, another thing to consider is that the side of the county closest to Lake Marion has a much larger population, as well as closer proximity to Interstate 95.
Hospitals and Care Facilities are also something to think about when looking at the demographics of the disease. In Manning, McLeod Health Clarendon has been treating COVID-19 since it hit the County.
"McLeod Health continues to follow the recommendations and guidelines outlined by the CDC," said McLeod Health Clarendon Administrator Rachel Gainey. "Our organization is data-driven, and evidence-based, which leads us to those actions we believe best benefit our patients and the community. We continue to monitor our resources and ensure we have the adequate equipment and PPE to care for our patients and staff. As a healthcare system with seven hospitals, we have the ability to realign those resources as needed throughout our system.”
The City of Manning Mayor, Julia Nelson, thinks this has a large impact on the high rate of cases.
“It is in my opinion that the majority of cases are found in people who are being cared for, caring for others, working in high volume atmospheres, and then returning to their families,” said Nelson. “People who are only trying to make a living for their families.”
However, Nelson is increasingly alarmed at the attitude her citizens are taking towards the pandemic.
“We, as a community, should watch our comments about those infected with the virus,” said Nelson. “I’m sure most of us are taking necessary precautions, but there are many who are not. These individuals are causing our numbers to increase.”
Despite this, Nelson retains the hope that she has always had, no matter the crisis. Manning, and the entire southeast, has faced its fair share of emergencies; Hurricanes, the 1,000-year flood, and now this. However, she believes that the community will pull through.
“A few have had harsh experiences and even death,” said Nelson. “Thankfully, the majority have recovered.”
In Summerton, an outbreak of the Coronavirus hit Lake Marion Nursing Facility and Windsor Manor, both companies under the Clarendon Health umbrella.
“Despite efforts, the COVID-19 virus found its way into Lake Marion Nursing Facility and Windsor Manor,” said Clarendon Health in a press release to the Manning Times Monday. “Once the virus had established a presence in the facility, it quickly became apparent to our healthcare professionals that this virus was different than anything we had seen before.”
Since then, Clarendon Health has worked strenuously to stop the spread of COVID-19 throughout its facilities, as well as the community.
“It is more contagious, it is tougher to kill, and much more difficult to isolate and contain,” The press release continued. “The vulnerable, elderly patients we serve are at a much higher risk for poor outcomes once infected with this virus.”
It's unfortunate to think, but this contributes directly to the death toll. A virus that is capable of ending the lives of anyone, especially those who are elderly and/or have underlying health issues working its way through a long-term care facility.
So what caused this problem? Why does Clarendon have such a high rate? The first case of COVID-19 in Clarendon County was identified and made public on March 20. Now, only 41 days later, the number is at 201. Previous interviews and sources have cited a certain funeral that garnered a crowd of 300-400 attendees. However, this funeral took place in mid-March and the number of positive cases is still climbing as we enter May. According to local sources, the most likely culprit here is a lack of following basic medical safety procedures.
“We have a lot of people in our area who are not heeding the advice of our health care professionals,” said District 36 SC State Senator Kevin Johnson. “When I’m out, I see many cases of people just gathering in large groups, and it’s unsafe.”
Forgetting to wash your hands after entering a store, or not wearing a safety mask as an extra layer of protection. One guideline that has been particularly difficult for Clarendon citizens is the idea of self-quarantine. When stuck between the choice of staying home out of concern for safety regarding themselves and their families, and the choice of ignoring the guidelines and living life as if there isn’t a global pandemic, it is not unusual to see many people choosing the latter.
“I understand that people have essential things that they have to take care of, and legally they are allowed to do so,” said Johnson. “However, I see a lot of people that are going out for things that are not necessary.”
This has created a hot-bed for the virus; a playground for it to spawn and spread to every individual ready to take it. According to Johnson, that is where the problem lies.
Johnson cites times where he has seen families together in public, with no personal protective equipment. The Senator is disheartened at the lack of response this disease is getting in the place he calls home. In an interview with The Manning Times, Johnson pleaded for his community to heed the warnings given to them.
“Until we take this thing seriously, we will continue to lead the state,” said Johnson. “There is a lot of sickness and death, and until we can do better and follow the instructions, it’s going to be bad for us.”
Since the pandemic swept across the globe, individuals, and even entire communities, have taken to the idea that it isn’t that big of a deal. However, statistics show that it is much more serious than some are taking it. Comparisons are often made between the Coronavirus and the Flu, with people stating that the flu claims just as many, if not more, lives every year. Initially, this might have been a valid response, however, the numbers show something different. You have probably heard that the flu takes the lives of 25,000 to 69,000 American Citizens every year, however, the CDC releases these numbers based on a “series of assumptions.”
It is also worth noting that the death toll of COVID-19 in the United States sits at 55,000 on April 27.
Less than two weeks ago, The Manning Times talked with a COVID-19 survivor by the name of Wayne Wells. While he had the opportunity to talk about how he had survived, he used the energy he had during recovery to send a message: “This is not a game.” Wells noted that he is a healthy individual that almost died from a disease that people aren’t taking seriously.
“I was cautious, I followed all safety measures,” said Wells.
Even so, Wells contracted the disease and fought for his life in McLeod Health Clarendon for almost two weeks.
“Stay safe above all,” said Wells. “This virus is nothing to play with, it is not a game and I am a witness to how terrifying it can be.”
At a time like this, with extended state-of-emergency orders and rising sickness and death, how does a community recover? What steps can be taken to keep this from getting worse? The solution is simple and has been the entire time: follow the guidelines.
“The personal responsibility of each individual citizen is paramount in slowing the spread of the virus," said Mcleod Health Clarendon Chief Medical Officer, Catherine Rabon. "Practicing social distancing, hand hygiene and covering your mouth and nose with a face covering when out in public is key to lowering the transmission of the virus. All residents should comply with recommended best practices and make informed responses not only to protect themselves but each other.”
Stay indoors if you can, work from home if you can, wash your hands regularly. When you go out, practice social distancing. Send one person from your family on that grocery trip instead of bringing the whole house. Our experience may be highlighted among others, but we are not unique in this. Our struggles are the struggles of our community, county, state, and nation. We are all in this together, and we can only triumph when we are one.
Regardless of what happens, we will come out on the other side. We have to remain safe and cautious, but this is not a time of fear. Now, more than ever, we need community.
