SC health officials have reported 6 corona virus cases in the state.

4 are in the Camden area and 1 each in Charleston and Spartanburg.

So fai none have been reported in Lexington county.

One Camden area patient with positive corona virus (COVID-19) symptoms has been confirmed by the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control.

She has been transferred to Prisma Health Richland Hospital in Columbia to a special isolation room that helps keep staff and the community safe.

The virus is having an impact on public events, gyms and grocery stores.

Local gyms have e-mailed clients reminding them about cleanliness practices, how to properly wipe down equipment, and to avoid person-to-person hand shakes and other contact unless necessary.

Fist bumps appear to be acceptable.

According to the SC Department of Health & Environmental Control and the federal Centers for Disease Control, the best way to stop the spread of the corona virus germs are:

1. Washing your hands

2. Covering your cough

3. Staying home when you’re ill

4. Disposing tissues you’ve sneezed or coughed into.

Grocers are feeling the impact, too.

Due to increases in demand, Publix has placed limits on certain items.

Customers are limited to buying 2 of the following items:

• Hand soaps & sanitizers

• Rubbing alcohol

• Facial masks & gloves

• Disinfectant wipes and spray

• Aerosol disinfectant sprays

• Facial tissue

• Cups/plates/utensils

• Bleach

Publix does not know how long it will enforce the purchase limits or if other items will be added.

Anyone with concerns about their health, or who believe they are showing corona virus symptoms such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath, is urged to call their healthcare provider.

People with general questions about corona virus should call the DHEC Care Line at 855-472-3432.

The line is open from 8 am to 6 pm. Callers are urged to be patient as call volumes are high.

Interest rates cut due to corona virus

The Federal Reserve has cut interest rates 50 basis points.

This clips the Federal Funds rate to a range of 1% to 1.25% interest.

This is the Fed’s 1st emergency rate cut since 2008 due to economic concerns over corona virus.

It was the 4th cut since the start of 2019.

Personal finance website WalletHub projects:

• APRs on new credit card offers will decrease an average 8 basis points.

APR stands for Annual Percentage Rate.

It tells you the cost of borrowing money on an annual basis.

• APRs on auto loans will decrease an average 8 basis points.

• Mortgage APRs will decrease an average 26 basis points.

• Deposit account APRs will decrease an average 16 basis points.

WalletHub CEO Odysseas Papadimitriou said, “Consumer spending will fall if people stay home.”