Here's an update on the coronavirus response in the City of Myrtle Beach

Senior staff and the emergency management team met by conference to assess the situation in light of the one reported case of coronavirus at Grand Strand Medical Center and two others in Horry County. See the list below. We are taking the necessary health precautions to make sure that our residents and visitors are safe. Updates to the information below are likely.

1. The City of Myrtle Beach initiated OpCon 2 (Operation Conditions 2) on Saturday, which elevates our response to a state of emergency for the ongoing coronavirus health threat. Mayor Brenda Bethune issued the following directive on Saturday, March 14: “Upon the advice of the State and Horry County, the City of Myrtle Beach hereby declares that we will operate at OpCon 2 until further notice.”

2. City offices will operate as usual tomorrow (Monday, March 16), although that is subject to change later in the week. City staff should report to work as usual, if possible.

3. City meetings and city-related events scheduled for the coming week will be postponed to a later date. Announcements about meetings and events for subsequent weeks will be provided in a timely manner.

4. Municipal Court, including the new Quality of Life Court, will be rescheduled to a later date.

5. Solid waste services will be on their usual schedule this week.

6. The city’s water system is safe, thanks to the treatment and disinfectant processes. Water service will continue without interruption.

7. In addition to the hand sanitizer and disinfectant supplies provided last week at public counters in city buildings, starting tomorrow city staff will use disinfectant to wipe down high-contact public counters and entry door handles every 30 minutes as an extra precaution.

8. Our 911 dispatchers are pre-screening emergency calls to determine whether any respiratory distress is involved.

9. One City of Myrtle Beach firefighter is self-quarantined after a tertiary contact with the Grand Strand Medical Center patient. The firefighter did not come in direct contact with the patient, but someone in his immediate family had limited contact with the patient. None of the city’s personnel or equipment has had direct contact with the positive patient at Grand Strand Medical Center.

10. Remember that utility payment drop boxes are available at the City Services Building. You also may pay utility bills online. See https://www.cityofmyrtlebeach.com/departments/utility_billing_division.php for more information. We will suspend water cutoffs during this emergency period.

11. Visit the city’s webpage, www.cityofmyrtlebeach.com, and Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/myrtlebeachcitygovernment/, for more information.

12. Again, please set a good example by following the safety protocols outlined below. Prevention is the key to keeping this illness in check.

Be cautious, but realistic. Whether it’s the common cold, the flu or something else, practice safe habits, but don’t let fear overtake common sense.

Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick; keep your distance.

Stay home when you are feeling sick. Don’t spread an illness to your co-workers.

Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in a trash. Use your sleeve to cover a cough or sneeze if no tissues are available.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Get the flu vaccine to help prevent illness which might weaken your immune system.

If you are feeling sick with flu-like symptoms, contact your healthcare provider immediately to let them know you may have been exposed and need to be evaluated.

The illness is more severe among those who elderly, those who are sick already and those with a compromised immune system.

We continue to be in regular communication with our local, state and national partners regarding this health issue. DHEC’s website is a good resource:

https://scdhec.gov/infectious-diseases/viruses/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19.