Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on May 18
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Latest cases
At least 8,942 people in South Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus and 391 have died as of Monday afternoon, according to state health officials.
On Sunday, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control reported 126 new cases of COVID-19. Six additional deaths were also reported.
New deaths were reported in Charleston, Clarendon, Florence, Lexington and Williamsburg counties.
More than 4.7 million cases of COVID-19 and 318,000 deaths have been reported worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University. In the United States, more than 1.5 million cases and 90,000 deaths have been reported.
McMaster signs $155 million relief package
Gov. Henry McMaster signed a $155 million package Monday, $25 million of which will go toward improving South Carolina’s testing capacity, The State reported.
The other $130 million is meant to keep to government open and operating until a new budget is adopted in the fall.
McMaster also urged House and Senate leaders to call legislators back to the Capitol and decide how to spend South Carolina’s $1.9 billion cut of federal coronavirus funding.
SC residents unhappy with virus response, poll shows
A new poll shows a majority of people in South Carolina are dissatisfied with the state and federal government responses to the coronavirus pandemic so far.
A new Clemson University poll found 52% of South Carolinians are not happy with the federal response, and 51% aren’t happy with how the state has handled the pandemic, The State reports.
The results showed some differences broken down by political affiliation and race. Democrats and African Americans were more likely to be dissatisfied with the state and federal response, and to say President Donald Trump acted too slowly to stop the spread of the pandemic.
Busy weekend at Myrtle Beach
Despite the pandemic, tourist season has kicked off at Myrtle Beach.
Some areas were “packed with people” on Saturday as coronavirus-related restrictions have begun to loosen in South Carolina. Traffic filled Ocean Boulevard as people went to the beach, to check into hotels and to restaurants and stores, The Sun News reports.
Myrtle Beach and Myrtle Beach State Park were nearly full but people seemed to be social distancing. However, people were “on top of each other” as they waited in long lines at restaurants at Broadway at the Beach.
There was also a shooting on the boardwalk Sunday evening in central Myrtle Beach, The Sun News reports. Several people were injured.
NASCAR returns to Darlington
The Darlington Raceway hosted the first NASCAR race since the pandemic shut down sporting events earlier this year. The biggest difference: There were no fans in the stands to cheer on the drivers.
Darlington officials told The State they hope NASCAR fans will be allowed back into the stands for the race weekend this fall. Other races coming up this week will allow people in the stands, according to The State.
Weekend protest
Dozens of high school students and parents walked past restaurants in downtown Beaufort on Saturday, demanding a more “traditional, in-person” graduation ceremony, the Island Packet reports.
The group quietly carried signs protesting the school district’s plan for virtual graduations in which students are pre-recorded walking across the stage, during which four guests are allowed, for a video that will be posted to YouTube on graduation day in June.
“I think we all deserve a proper celebration,” Beaufort High School senior Rachelle Martz told the Island Packet. “Everyone before us has had a proper celebration. I understand we are in the middle of a pandemic, but if 70 other school districts in the state can do this, then so can we.”
Superintendent Frank Rodriguez has said he’s open to an in-person ceremony later in the year but that the virtual option is safer for now.
This story was originally published May 18, 2020 at 7:23 AM.
