Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on April 9
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Latest coronavirus cases
At least 2,792 people have tested positive for coronavirus in South Carolina, and 67 people have died, according to public health officials.
Officials reported 241 new cases and 4 deaths Thursday. The four who died were older, with underlying medical conditions, in Anderson, Beaufort, Lexington and Lee counties, state health officials said.
More than 1.6 million cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed worldwide with more than 95,000 deaths as of Wednesday, according to Johns Hopkins University. The United States has more than 465,000 confirmed cases and more than 16,000 deaths.
Columbia to reinstate curfew
The Columbia City Council again approved an 11 p.m. curfew for the city, which will go into effect Friday.
The city had previously put a curfew in place but decided to reinstate it following Gov. Henry McMaster’s statewide stay-at-home order issued Monday.
Anyone caught out between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. in Columbia city limits can be fined or potentially arrested, The State reported. The curfew is intended to reinforce social distancing and slow the spread of coronavirus.
Prisma furloughs 3,900
Prisma Health has furloughed 3,900 employees to cut costs while dedicating its resources to treating coronavirus patients.
Gov. Henry McMaster has asked hospitals not to book elective procedures and instead keep beds and equipment available in case COVID-19 cases surge -- and it has taken a financial toll on Prisma, The State reported.
No front-line workers will be furloughed, Prisma told the outlet.
“We did not furlough team members who were directly involved in caring for our patients today, and we did not furlough those team members who are needed so that we can respond to increased volumes from COVID-19 positive patients,” Prisma spokeswoman Tammie Epps said in a email to The State.
WIC recipients increasing
A growing number of South Carolina residents are getting help from the Women, Infants and Children nutritional assistance program amid the coronavirus pandemic, The State reported.
The state Department of Health and Environmental Control announced 76,803 were enrolled in the WIC program as of March -- an increase of 2,100 from February.
$1 billion shortfall possible due to COVID
Over a billion dollars could be lost from the state budget due to the financial impact of coronavirus.
According to The State, budget forecasters predict a $507 million general revenue fund shortfall for the current fiscal year ending in June, and another $643 million during the 2020-21 fiscal year starting July 1.
Columbia considers new curfew
City leaders in Columbia will meet Thursday to discuss a new curfew, The State reports. The curfew, which could start Friday night, would restrict who would be allowed on the streets between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
What can you do under SC’s ‘work or home’ order?
The State is answering reader questions about what you can and can’t do under Gov. Henry McMaster’s “work or stay home” order.
The questions include: Can police stop people driving around? Can you take the boat out on the lake? Can I travel out of state?
Check out The State’s answers to your questions about the “stay home” order.
Myrtle Beach area leads in new unemployment claims
More than 85,000 people filed for new unemployment claims in South Carolina last week, according to the Department of Employment and Workforce.
Horry County had the most new claims in the state, with more than 10,000 people filing for unemployment benefits for the first time last week, The Sun News reports.
Nationally, more than 6.6 million people filed for unemployment last week, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Furloughed workers eligible for unemployment
Gov. Henry McMaster announced Wednesday that all furloughed workers can now apply for and receive unemployment benefits — even if they are still being paid in some way by their employer.
“Every day, our primary objective is to protect South Carolinians, but we also must act to protect the state’s economy,” McMaster said in a statement. “This order does both. It allows our businesses to take care of their employees as best as they can and will help our economy recover from this unprecedented time.”
African Americans are dying at a higher rate
South Carolina’s African American population is experiencing a disproportionate number of deaths due to coronavirus, according to the state Department of Health and Environmental Control.
African Americans account for roughly half of all coronavirus-related deaths in the state (46%), although they make up only 27% of the population.
White people account for 41% of deaths but make up 67% of the population, according to The State.
Teen accused of coughing on cops
A 17-year-old in Rock Hill who was told by a doctor to self-quarantine is accused of intentionally coughing on two police officers, The Rock Hill Herald reports.
The teen girl posted about the incident on social media, police said.
She is charged with breach of peace, The Herald reports.
“Not only did this video confirm her intent to cough on the officers, but also showed the juvenile took pleasure and found humor in her actions,” police said.
Columbia-based pharma employee tests positive
An employee of Nephron Pharmaceuticals, a company based in West Columbia, has tested positive for coronavirus.
The employee hasn’t been to work since March 31, and the company has known about the diagnosis since April 2, Nephron officials told The State.
DMV open for appointments only
The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles has a new online appointment system for anyone who needs to visit a DMV office.
“You will need to have an appointment to complete transactions at SCDMV branch offices,” the DMV said.
People can also call 803-896-5000 to make an appointment.
DMV appointments will be scheduled at least two weeks in advance, The State reports.
This story was originally published April 9, 2020 at 7:32 AM.