Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on May 19

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

Latest cases

At least 9,056 people in South Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus and 399 have died as of Tuesday afternoon, according to state health officials.

On Tuesday, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control reported 137 new cases of COVID-19. Eight additional deaths were also reported.

New deaths were reported in Cherokee, Dillon, Greenville, Horry, and Lexington counties.

More than 4.8 million cases of COVID-19 and 322,000 deaths have been reported worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University. In the United States, more than 1.5 million cases and 91,000 deaths have been reported.

Samsung plant reopens

The Samsung plant in Newberry has reopened and it’s already looking to make some new hires, The State reported.

The plant closed for several weeks in April in response to a coronavirus outbreak, but now back in operation, it’s offering $350 hiring bonuses for new employees and has a “virtual” hiring event scheduled for Thursday.

Roughly 800 people are currently employed at the facility, according to The State. Officials weren’t able to say how many jobs are open.

Youth sports could return soon

The S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism offered a recommendation Tuesday to the Accelerate SC committee -- allow youth sports teams to start playing games again by June 15, according to The State.

The plan is based on one enacted in Texas, parks department director Duane Parrish said.

“We are confident that athletic fields of counties, municipalities and schools that it could take place in a safe manor,” Parrish said. “I’m confident that coaches, leagues and the like around the state have an individual plan around the safety for themselves.”

Approval from Gov. Henry McMaster would be needed for the plan to move forward.

USC cancels in-person graduation

The University of South Carolina won’t be holding an in-person graduation this year due to the coronavirus, the school said Tuesday. But it does plan to host a virtual commencement at some point in the near future, according to The State.

Dates for the virtual commencement haven’t been shared yet.

“I know this is disappointing news, but please know our decision was made after much deliberation and in consultation with public health experts and venue professionals,” USC President Robert Caslen said in a message to students. “While we would have enjoyed nothing more than to welcome you and your families back for a ceremony in August, we don’t believe it will be safe for large in-person gatherings over the summer in the midst of the unprecedented global health crisis we are facing.”

Columbia parks to reopen

Columbia city council announced that tennis courts, athletic fields and similar public facilities will reopen on Monday, with some restrictions on the number of people allowed to use them at the same time, The State reported.

This is the first step in a five-part plan to fully reopen Columbia’s public parks.

Barbers reopen after more than 6 weeks

Barbershops and salons around Columbia reported pent up demand and long waits for haircuts when they opened Monday, The State reports. The governor ordered barbers to shut down March 31 as the state closed businesses to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Salons said they were limiting how many people were allowed inside at one time, increasing cleaning and asking customers to wear masks.

DHEC, hospitals offer free testing

Hospitals in Horry, Georgetown and Williamsburg counties are working with DHEC to offer free coronavirus testing for residents, The Sun News reports.

State officials say they hope to test 8,000 people in the Pee Dee region by June. Tidelands Health says the testing will be open to anyone who shows up, but people under 18 will need to have a parent or guardian present.

McMaster signs $155 million relief package

Gov. Henry McMaster signed a $155 million package Monday, including $25 million to improve South Carolina’s coronavirus testing capacity, The State reported.

The other $130 million is meant to keep 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 funding for pandemic relief.

Myrtle Beach police say crowds unexpected

During an emergency Myrtle Beach City Council meeting, Police Chief Amy Prock deflected blame after a chaotic weekend. She said the business community should have warned her department about how many people were going to be in town as the city reopened to tourists, The Sun News reports.

The busy weekend was marked by congestion and a spontaneous street party that shut down a section of Ocean Boulevard and became a viral video, according to The Sun News. Sunday was capped with a shooting near the Myrtle Beach boardwalk in the middle of a busy intersection.

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.

This story was originally published May 19, 2020 at 7:55 AM.