SC sets new record with more than 500 coronavirus cases in a single day
South Carolina’s case count continued to climb on Saturday, when state health officials announced a record new numbers of coronavirus diagnoses in the Palmetto State.
The state Department of Health and Environmental Control announced 512 new cases on Saturday, a record for a single day that capped a week of climbing numbers as the virus continues to spread. State health officials also announced seven new deaths from COVID-19.
In total, 13,916 people have been diagnosed statewide, and 545 have died.
Greenville County continues to lead the state in new cases with 80, followed by Richland (57), Lexington (47), Spartanburg (42), Charleston (39), Horry (33) and Sumter (23).
Six of those who died were elderly — two from Horry County and one each from Florence, Lexington, Chesterfield and Cherokee counties. A middle-aged individual from Greenwood County also died.
Saturday’s totals marks the second record-breaking day in a row. In the past week, South Carolina has had three days with more than 300 cases announced and two with more than 400.
State health officials continue to estimate that the confirmed positive tests account for about 14% of coronavirus cases across the state. As of Saturday, DHEC officials estimated that 94,250 people have likely had the virus since March.
Officials have acknowledged an increase in COVID-19 activity in the Palmetto State over the past few weeks. Every day this week more than 200 new cases have been identified, the seven-day average of new cases is on the rise and the percentage of tests turning up positive has been trending upward, according to DHEC data.
Saturday’s percentage of positive tests, 9.2%, is the highest in at least 28 days.
Some experts and DHEC officials believe the increase in cases could be due to residents moving more in public, a lack of social distancing and residents not wearing masks. Experts have said those factors could lead to later outbreaks.
In the past week, hundreds have also gathered in close proximity during protests against racism and police brutality. Health experts have said such protests, where social distancing is often impossible to maintain, may lead to more cases as well.
Despite the increase in new cases, South Carolina’s steady reopening continues apace. The capital city of Columbia looks set to allow its nightly curfew to expire on Tuesday. The curfew from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. was put in place back in April as a means of encouraging social distancing, and it has kept businesses from operating late into the night within the city limits.
Since April 20, Gov. Henry McMaster has been incrementally allowing businesses to reopen, starting with retail stores and restaurants and adding businesses such as salons, gyms and tourists attractions.
On Thursday, McMaster said the lack of precautions some people were taking was “highly disappointing and highly dangerous.” But when asked if he would consider reinstituting some restrictions on businesses and movement across the state if cases continue to rise, the governor said at a certain point that those measures “simply do not work.”
The governor and DHEC officials have continued to recommend that people practice social distancing.
Officials have also increased coronavirus activity could be due in part to DHEC’s increased testing. State health officials hope to test about 2% of the state’s population, 110,000 people, in June, a goal they met in May.
DHEC has taken other steps to help with a safe reopening, including increasing their contact tracing staff from 20 to 380. They’ve also contracted with private companies to hire 1,400 more tracers, who work to contact anyone who came near someone who tests positive for COVID-19.
This story was originally published June 6, 2020 at 5:35 PM.
