Ohio Grads Go To Myrtle Beach To Celebrate, Come Back With Coronavirus

More than a dozen high school students celebrating graduation have been diagnosed with COVID-19 after returning from a vacation to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

A group of 91 students from neighboring areas in Ohio and West Virginia recently returned from a Myrtle Beach vacation, with 14 students from Ohio's Belmont County testing positive for the virus. Officials are said to be awaiting additional test results.

"Our COVID-19 numbers were slowing down," Belmont County Deputy Health Commissioner Rob Sproul told WTRF. "And now this. This is not what we wanted."

"We're trying to catch these people before they spread it further," he added. "But we could be looking at larger numbers than we want."

In addition to the graduating trip, at least 40 West Virginia residents returning from the popular vacation spot have also recently tested positive. Health officials are urging residents to self-quarantine after visiting Myrtle Beach, with West Virginia's governor recently stressing the importance of getting tested.

"If you opt to go to Myrtle Beach right now — or go anywhere from the standpoint of leaving our state — take the time to be tested," Governor Jim Justice said during a Friday news conference. "You may very well save a life and that life may be your own or somebody very, very close to your family."

Myrtle Beach does not mandate that tourists and residents wear face masks or maintain other preventative measures, although officials are said to be considering requiring masks. Mayor Brenda Bethune said that vacationers bear at least some of the responsibility for contracting the virus while visiting.

"It's everywhere. And it's not about placing blame and saying I got it here or there, it's about what can we do to educate people, to promote that personal responsibility, and work together," Bethune told WMBF.

Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Karen Riordan is encouraging visitors to spend more time in the area despite the rise in cases, while insisting that they can take steps to protect themselves.

"It's really a focus on, we do want you to come, there are 60 miles of wide-open beach, you can spread out, you can wear your mask, you can practice social distancing," said Riordan.

A large majority of residents and an even larger share of tourists are refusing to wear masks while they remain voluntary, according to recent observations from The Sun News.

South Carolina is one of several states that have recently reported record increases in COVID-19 cases as the country continues to reopen. The Myrtle Beach area reported 123 new local cases on Monday, with more than 2,000 confirmed since the pandemic began.

Newsweek reached out to Bethune for additional comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.