Tag Archives: Florida

DHEC in the News: Flu, nursing homes, drone technology

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Here’s a look at health and environmental news from around South Carolina.

Flu vaccine important but not only vaccine needed

The topic of seasonal flu vaccinations tends to resurface around this time of year as the weather turns colder and the days grow shorter.

While the flu shot is important, it is not the only vaccine people need to get.

Following deaths of Florida nursing home patients, Rep. Wendell Gilliard looks into local emergency preparations

After the deaths of almost a dozen nursing homes patients in Florida as Hurricane Irma knocked out power across the state, S.C. Rep. Wendell Gilliard reached out to the state agency tasked with regulating senior care facilities in South Carolina to ensure that the same doesn’t happen here.

Cameron farmer uses drone technology to detect problems in fields

Cameron farmer Drake Perrow’s roots run deep in agriculture.

He and his son, John, farm land that has been in the family since the middle 1700s.

Technology has changed over the years and the Perrows have had to change with it to remain efficient.

DHEC in the News: Mosquitoes after Irma, Florida nursing home tragedy, swim warnings in parts of Congaree and Saluda rivers

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Here’s a look at health and environmental news from around South Carolina.

Beaufort Co agencies monitor mosquito population after Irma

BEAUFORT, S.C. (WSAV) — Beaufort County Mosquito Control (BCMC) and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) will continue to conduct surveillance for mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases following Tropical Storm Irma.

BCMC anticipates an escalating and significant increase in the biting mosquito populations throughout the Lowcountry.

Florida tragedy highlights challenge for families seeking senior care

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) – Medicare records show a “below-average” rating for a Florida nursing home where an air conditioning outage led to the deaths of eight elderly clients.

The deaths are linked to heat conditions that developed at the Rehabilitation Center in Hollywood, Florida in the wake of Hurricane Irma. Hollywood police have launched a criminal investigation into the home’s operations.

A city spokeswoman says fire crews had been called to the facility 127 times over a one year period.

Warnings raised against swimming in Congaree, Saluda

COLUMBIA, SC People are being warning against swimming on parts of the Congaree and lower Saluda rivers after laboratory tests found elevated bacteria counts in the water.

Five spots on the rivers between Saluda Shoals Park and the Rosewood Drive boat landing were found to have bacteria levels above the safe swimming standard, according to a coalition of environmental groups and governments that are jointly checking water quality.