We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.

Latest coronavirus cases

At least 4,086 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina, and 116 people have died, according to public health officials.

Officials reported 163 new cases and seven deaths Friday, according to the Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Florence County reported the most new cases with 19, and 15 new cases were confirmed in Richland County, DHEC said.

More than 2.2 million cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed worldwide with more than 154,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University. The United States has more than 701,000 confirmed cases and more than 36,000 deaths.

DHEC: Two-thirds of SC patients have recovered

As the number of confirmed coronavirus cases surpassed 4,000 Friday, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control announced that 67 percent of those have recovered from the illness, according to The State.

“It’s really just an indication, so that you and your readers and viewers can understand that not all of those 4,000 odd cases are actively showing signs of symptoms,” Nick Davidson, the DHEC incident commander for COVID-19, told reporters on a conference call.

Call to increase rural coronavirus tracking

State rep. Wendy Brawley, D-Richland, is calling on Gov. Henry McMaster to improve coronavirus data collection and to track confirmed cases by ZIP codes, arguing that cases are being undercounted in rural areas, The State reported.

“A low number of positive test results does not mean that the virus is not vastly prevalent in certain ZIP codes, but most likely means that fewer tests are being offered to residents in those zip code areas,” Brawley said in the letter sent Friday to McMaster.

Docks to reopen

Public docks and boat landings will be open again starting at noon Friday, Gov. Henry McMaster ordered, though social distancing rules are still in effect, The State reported.

“It is a small step and there will be more,” McMaster said. “We asked people to take life easy, to recreate, and get out and exercise. A lot of that happens on the water. A lot of families like to get out on the water. ... But we insist, don’t have any large gatherings. Do the things we have asked you to do before and we will be fine.”

McMaster: SC economy will be ‘humming’

The governor announced plans to create a task force made up of stakeholders from various industries to assist with his overall goal of getting the state’s economy back in gear by the end of June.

The move comes as McMaster prepares to reveal the details of his economic recovery plan, “Accelerate SC,” which he will discuss next week, The State reported.

“By the end of June, we expect our economy to be humming,” McMaster said. “We expect to be well back in business by then.”

On Thursday, the governor said there was “no reason” to push back the state’s primary elections, which are set for June 9. Local, state and national races will be on the ballot.

Six die after funeral

A cluster of coronavirus cases connected to an early March funeral in Kershaw County has killed six people, officials said. The dead included a husband and wife.

“All six of the dead were elderly — over the age of 60 — and all were African American, officials said. The elderly and African Americans have the highest fatality rate from coronavirus, according to national and South Carolina statistics,” The State reports.

Hospital asks for masks

Lexington Medical Center is looking for people to donate homemade masks for hospital employees, The State reports.

The homemade masks would be used by hospital employees who are not involved in patient care, saving medical masks for employees in direct contact with coronavirus patients, the hospital said.

MUSC: Social distancing is working

Social distancing is working to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic in the state, the Medical University of South Carolina said. But don’t stop now.

Officials with the Charleston hospital say they still expect to see cases surge in the coming weeks, The State reports. The hospital warned that new cases could come in “cluster outbreaks” and “super spreader” events from social gatherings.

New unemployment claims continue to rise

More than 87,000 people in South Carolina filed for new unemployment benefits last week, according to the state Department of Employment and Workforce.

New jobless claims have increased by 4,293% in the past four weeks for a total of 268,614, The State reports.

The employment department has added about 250 people to help handle all the new jobless claims, according to The State.

Greenville County had the most new unemployment claims last week with more than 10,300. Horry County had almost 8,000 new claims, and Spartanburg County had about 7,250.

This story was originally published April 17, 2020 at 6:36 AM.