Coronavirus cases in SC reach 6,757. Eight more people dead, DHEC says
South Carolina coronavirus cases increased to 6,757 Monday after state health officials announced 135 new cases.
S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control officials also located eight additional people who died after contracting COVID-19, bringing the statewide death toll to 283.
The elderly patients who died were from Clarendon (1), Greenville (2), Horry (1), and Richland (2) counties. And the middle-aged patients were from Clarendon and Marlboro counties.
Greenville saw the largest increase in cases with 30. Locally, Richland County saw 13 cases, and Lexington County had 12.
DHEC officials estimate that about 85% of coronavirus cases across the state have not been tested or identified, meaning South Carolina has likely seen about 48,200 cases.
State health officials estimated Friday about 79% of patients who tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered.
By mid-May, DHEC officials expect to see about 1,000 positive cases per week, they projected Monday. By May 23, the state is expected to reach a total of 9,652 cases.
State health officials believe the state’s coronavirus case curve is beginning to level off.
Meanwhile, DHEC is focused on increasing testing. The number of positive cases is expected to increase as a result, DHEC’s Dr. Brannon Traxler told reporters Monday. Officials will use the percent of positive tests each day to measure the state’s progress.
Sunday, 4.4% of all tests performed statewide were positive, Traxler said. Just over 1% of the state’s residents have been tested for the coronavirus.
Friday, S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster announced that he would lift his mandatory work-or-home order. He also announced new guidelines for restaurants, allowing them to serve customers in outdoor seating starting Monday. He also lifted restrictions on short-term rentals and a mandatory self-quarantine for tourists.
DHEC officials are urging South Carolinians to continue practice social distancing.
New Coronavirus cases
Allendale (2)
Bamberg (1)
Berkeley (3)
Charleston (8)
Chesterfield (1)
Cherokee (1)
Clarendon (3)
Darlington (4)
Dillon (2)
Florence (12)
Georgetown (1)
Greenville (30)
Horry (4)
Kershaw (1)
Laurens (1)
Lexington (12)
Marion (3)
Marlboro (2)
McCormick (1)
Oconee (1)
Orangeburg (5)
Pickens (1)
Richland (13)
Saluda (1)
Spartanburg (7)
Sumter (13)
Williamsburg (1)
York (1)
This story was originally published May 4, 2020 at 4:41 PM.
