The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control says it has confirmed seven cases of E. coli associated with a Greenwood County daycare.

DHEC announced on Sunday the results of laboratory testing that confirmed the seven cases of E. coli.

To help limit the spread of the bacteria, DHEC issued a public health consent agreement with The Learning Vine to close.

The daycare has closed voluntarily and has cooperated with the investigation.

“Our primary concern is protecting the health and safety of the community,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell. “We continue to work closely with the daycare facility and community partners to identify the source of the contamination and stop the spread of the infection.”

In the news release, DHEC said it had taken the following steps to identify the source of the infection and stop its spread:

• Completed an initial onsite inspection of the daycare facility and provided cleaning guidance
• Conducted over 50 interviews to identify and notify individuals at possible risk for exposure
• Collected and tested samples for laboratory analysis
• Established a hotline and held a forum to provide assistance to those affected
• Confirmed the daycare facility had completed the required cleaning by conducting a follow-up inspection with the S.C. Department of Social Services
• Issued a public health consent agreement with the daycare facility in order to limit the possibility of further spread of the infection.