Coronavirus cases hit 9,379 in South Carolina as death toll grows to 416

The number of coronavirus cases in South Carolina grew by 199 Thursday as state health officials announced another round of identified cases.

That brings the statewide total of confirmed coronavirus cases to 9,379.

Department of Health and Environmental Control officials also announced that nine additional people diagnosed with the coronavirus have died, bringing South Carolina’s death toll to 416.

Two of the deaths occurred in Lee County, one in an elderly individual and one in a middle-aged person. Elderly individuals also died in Clarendon, Darlington, Horry, Kershaw and Spartanburg counties, while middle-aged individuals also died in Dillon and Florence.

Lee County also added three new confirmed cases, and the small, sparsely-populated county has the most confirmed cases per capita in the state — roughly 1 of every 100 residents has been diagnosed with the virus.

Greenville County, the most populous county in the state, added the most new cases Thursday, with 27 new positives. Four other counties — Richland, Fairfield, Florence and Horry — each had 13.

The true number of total cases, though, is likely much higher, as DHEC officials estimate that as many as 86% of people who have had the coronavirus have not been tested or diagnosed. As of Thursday, they believe that means nearly 67,000 people have actually contracted the virus.

Since late March, DHEC has observed at least 1,000 new reported cases per week. Last week that number hit 1,220 cases, the most in any month. Moving forward, officials say they expect that number to drop to 1,024 by the end of May, with a total number of 10,890 confirmed cases by the end of the month.

As businesses reopen, experts have warned that a second wave of cases could be on the horizon.

S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster has lifted restrictions on some retailers, beaches, boating, short-term rentals, salons, gyms, pools and restaurants. On Wednesday, McMaster also lifted restrictions on some entertainment and recreational businesses, including youth and adult sports, zoos, museums, amusement parks. Those activities can resume May 30.

As businesses reopen across the state, DHEC needs to increase testing and contract tracing, experts have argued.

DHEC has set a goal of testing about 2% of the state’s population, about 110,000 people, in May and June each. This past week, state health officials have said the agency is on track to meet that goal for May. As of Thursday, labs across the state have completed a total of 138,238 tests.

When it comes to contact tracing, DHEC has bulked up their staff from 20 to 380. They also contracted with private companies to hire 1,400 more contact tracers. State epidemiologist Linda Bell has said all diagnosed cases have undergone the contact tracing process.

Hospitals across the state have also been hit by the coronavirus. Nearly 70% of hospital beds in the state are currently occupied, and 438 of 7,199 beds in use are being used by patients who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or who are suspected to have it.

The spread of the virus has been most felt in older populations, especially in nursing homes, which have accounted for more than 1,000 cases and 150 deaths. According to data released Tuesday, the average age of infection in the Palmetto State is 50 years old, while the average age of those who have died is 75. DHEC officials also estimated that about 85% of those infected have recovered. The agency has withheld other vital data requested by The State newspaper.

State health officials and McMaster continue to recommend residents practice social distancing as businesses reopen. Both McMaster and Linda Bell, state epidemiologist, have expressed concerns about residents not following those recommendations, though McMaster has also said the recommendations weren’t mandatory and has cited citizens’ voluntary compliance as a reason to reopen the state’s economy.

This story was originally published May 21, 2020 at 6:49 PM.