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State Health officials report 5 new cases of measles as spread continues to slow

SCDPH's Mobile Health Unit on location in Spartanburg Tuesday, March 3 for residents to receive free MMR vaccines.
Luis-Alfredo Garcia
SCDPH's Mobile Health Unit on location in Spartanburg Tuesday, March 3 for residents to receive free MMR vaccines.

The total number of illnesses related to the Upstate outbreak is now 990.

The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is reporting five new cases of measles in the state since Friday, bringing the total number of cases related to the Upstate outbreak to 990.

There are currently 52 people in quarantine and four in isolation.

In its Tuesday update, DPH also cited another new location where public exposures have occurred. State health officials say individuals who visited Westgate Baptist Church in Spartanburg on Sunday, Feb. 22 between 10:45 a.m. and 4 p.m. should monitor for symptoms through March 15.

DPH reminds South Carolinians that any potential public exposure is limited to the specific dates and times when an infected person was present at the identified locations. Officials say those sites are not sources of ongoing exposure.

DPH continues to stress that vaccination is the best way to prevent measles and stop the outbreak. Measles-mumps-rubella vaccines are available at many primary care provider offices and pharmacies, as well as DPH Health Departments.