Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on April 28
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Cases top 5,700
At least 5,735 people in South Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus, and 192 have died as of Tuesday afternoon, according to state health officials.
The state Department of Health and Environmental Control reported 123 new cases and 15 deaths Tuesday. The deaths were older residents from Berkeley, Charleston, Clarendon, Darlington, Greenville, Horry, Lancaster, Lee, Richland, and Sumter counties, DHEC said, and one middle-aged resident of Clarendon County.
The number of coronavirus cases in South Carolina is likely much higher than what’s being reported, health officials say. On Monday, DHEC said it projects 40,000 cases throughout the state.
More than 3.1 million cases of COVID-19 and 216,000 deaths have been reported worldwide, with more than 1,000,000 cases and 58,000 deaths reported in the U.S., according to Johns Hopkins University.
Former SC news anchor dead from COVID-19
Ed Carter, a former, longtime Columbia news anchor for WIS-TV, died Tuesday due to complications brought on by coronavirus, The State reported.
Carter, who was 81, spent more than two decades sharing the day’s news with Columbia residents through the 1980s and 90s, before finally retiring in 1998.
“Ed not only was the consummate professional on air, but when I met him in person, he was this genuinely nice person, down-to-earth and friendly,” Jack Kuenzie, a friend and colleague, said. “That was one of the reasons that convinced me that this was a top-notch operation. ...
“I looked at Ed Carter and said, ‘I want to work where that guy works.’”
Hilton Head: Beaches are for residents only
Some beaches are reopening at Hilton Head Island, but for the time being, local officials are limiting access to residents only, The Island Packet reported.
Tow trucks will be keeping a close eye on beach-side parking lots for cars without beach passes, which only residents can buy. Any car without a beach pass isn’t allowed to park, and any that do will be towed, according to The Island Packet.
Lawmakers to meet virtually
Statehouse business is continuing virtually, with the Joint Bond Review Committee’s May 6 meeting, its first since in-person meetings were halted this month in response to the outbreak, The State reported.
Members will discuss bond refinancing, leases and improvement projects, all on virtual conferencing platform Zoom.
A livestream of the meeting can be seen on the Statehouse’s website, according to the outlet.
BMW plant to reopen
The BMW plant in Spartanburg has been closed since late March due to the COVID-19 outbreak, but will reopen May 4, company spokesman Steve Wilson told The State.
When the plant shut down March 29, it was originally planned to reopen in two weeks. But concerns over health, and also economic uncertainty, kept the lights off longer than expected, according to the outlet.
“The economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been far reaching, and customer demand for our product has declined considerably,” officials said in an April 6 news release. “Stay at home orders are still active throughout the country and Mexico, which is adversely affecting our supply chain.”
Local elections postponed
Gov. Henry McMaster ordered that local elections set for May be postponed, according to the State Election Commission. New dates have not been announced. Officials already postponed elections that were scheduled for March and April because of the growing coronavirus pandemic, The State reports.
The statewide primary in June is not expected to be postponed, according to The State. June’s primary includes U.S. House and Senate races and seats on the state legislature.
DMV opening back up
South Carolina’s Department of Motor Vehicles is opening all of its locations by appointment only. Many DMV branches were closed due to the coronavirus, The State reports.
All 66 DMV offices will be back open Monday, May 4. You can make an appointment at SCDMVonline.com.
Boeing plant reopening
Boeing’s massive Dreamliner plant in North Charleston is opening back up, the company said. Boeing shut down the plant about a month ago to help stop the spread of the coronavirus, The State reports.
Most employees at the campus will start back at work May 3 and 4, the company said. Boeing said it will have protective equipment for employees who have to work in close quarters and is encouraging everyone on the campus to wear a cloth mask.
The company said it will also have hand sanitizing stations and check employee temperatures at the plant.
State of emergency extended
Gov. Henry McMaster renewed his state of emergency for South Carolina on Monday, just as the current one is set to expire.
States of emergency only last for 15 days after they’re issued unless a new one is declared.
This renewal allows the governor to continue issuing executive orders, such as stay-at-home and work-from-home orders.
All of the governor’s current executive orders will remain in effect under the new state of emergency, but they are able to be rescinded at any time.
Lawmakers wants salons, barber shops to reopen
At least four South Carolina lawmakers are calling for the governor to reopen barber shops and salons, The State reports.
Reps. Jonathon Hill of Anderson; Stewart Jones of Laurens; and Josiah Magnuson and Steven Long, both of Spartanburg, are planning to send the governor a letter asking him to let hairstylists go back to work.
“I’ve been in tears over these calls,” Jones said during a press conference Monday. “I mean, you get calls from people who have never asked the government for any assistance in their entire life. They don’t want to ask the government for assistance. They want their freedom. They want to be able to run their business and run their lives.”
Salons and barber shops have been closed since April 1.
Election officials seek guidance
The South Carolina State Election Commission has asked the S.C. Attorney General’s Office whether voters can request an absentee ballot during the coronavirus pandemic.
Two lawsuits have already been filed attempting to settle the question, The State reports.
Under current regulations, registered voters can request an absentee ballot if they work in a different county than where they live and vote, if they’re sick, disabled or in the hospital or tending to someone who is sick or disabled, on vacation or over the age of 65.
This story was originally published April 28, 2020 at 7:08 AM.
