Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on June 21
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Cases top 24,000
At least 24,661 people in South Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus and 653 have died, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Sunday reported an additional 907 cases of the virus, down from the 1,157 cases reported Saturday — a single-day record that surpassed the previous high of 1,081 cases reported Friday.
Health officials also reported an additional nine deaths Sunday — in Chester, Colleton, Florence, Richland, Spartanburg and Sumter counties.
On Sunday, 68.52% of the state’s hospital beds were in use, per health officials. Of the 7,173 beds in use, 692 are occupied by patients who have tested positive or are under investigation for the coronavirus.
More than 8.8 million cases of COVID-19 and 464,000 deaths have been reported worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University. In the United States, more than 2.2 million cases and 119,000 deaths have been reported.
Increase in positive tests
The percentage of positive coronavirus tests has been increasing in South Carolina, The State reports.
During the week of June 8, the percentage of tests coming back positive was around 10% to 12%. But the following week, the percentage ranged from about 9% to a new high of 16.2% on Saturday.
The state health department and partners have 63 mobile testing units across South Carolina, which saw long lines of people Friday and Saturday.
Sunday marked the fourth consecutive day in which more than 900 new cases were reported in South Carolina.
Health officials say all cases are likely not accounted for as some go undiagnosed or untested.
Officials believed on Saturday that about 170,000 have likely had the virus in South Carolina since March. The state has started tracking and releasing probable cases and probable deaths, officials announced Wednesday.
Health officials expect 4,354 new cases will be reported in the coming week and ask that everyone wear a face mask and practice social distancing in public.
“Every one of us has a role to play in stopping COVID-19,” Linda Bell, state epidemiologist for the Department of Health and Environmental Control, said this week. “This virus does not spread on its own. It’s spread around our state by infected people who carry it wherever they go — their work, the supermarket, the post office, a friend’s house. By not following public health precautions, many are putting all at risk,” Bell said.
Protesters encouraged to get tested
Those who have participated in protests at South Carolina’s State House should get tested for the coronavirus, an organizer wrote on Facebook Sunday.
Several who attended marches in Columbia, Charleston and Greenville have tested positive for the virus, the post says. Four organizers of the I Can’t Breathe SC protests along with six protesters and three photographers said they have tested positive, organizer Lawrence Nathaniel said in the Facebook video.
Anyone at the protests between May 30 and June 17 should get a test, according to Nathaniel.
“We need to do our part,” Nathaniel said. “Go get tested. Don’t come to a protest until you get tested.”
PGA tour
A PGA tour player says Hilton Head visitors are not taking the coronavirus pandemic seriously after a player tested positive for the virus Friday.
Nick Watney is the first on the tour to test positive during the restarted 2020 season, The Island Packet reports. He had symptoms Friday and went to the doctor before the second round of the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing at Harbour Town Golf Links.
Justin Thomas, also competing in the tour, suggested Saturday that “relaxed attitudes” from visitors in the area could be to blame.
“I mean, no offense to Hilton Head, but they’re seeming to not take it very seriously,” Thomas said, according to the Island Packet. “It’s an absolute zoo around here. There’s people everywhere. The beaches are absolutely packed. Every restaurant, from what I’ve seen when I’ve been driving by, is absolutely crowded. ... Unfortunately, that’s not on Nick because I know he’s very cautious and has done everything he can, but I would say a lot of people in this area of Hilton Head just aren’t.”
McMaster didn’t heed DHEC reopening advice
Gov. Henry McMaster issued orders allowing South Carolina restaurants and businesses to reopen sooner than the state Department of Health and Environmental Control advised, according to The State.
Records show officials recommended reopening restaurants no earlier than May 18. McMaster said they could open their doors May 11.
Additionally, DHEC advised waiting at least two weeks after restaurants opened before reopening “close contact” businesses like salons and barbershops, so they could have time to gauge the effect of initial reopenings. But the governor allowed those businesses to resume operations May 18, a full week earlier than the May 25 deadline health officials suggested.
His decisions have raised questions about whether reopening contributed to a recent spike in coronavirus cases. He’s also been criticized by some for reopening too soon.
A spokesman for the governor’s office said McMaster made his decisions based on recommendations from AccelerateSC, a task force put together to determine how to best restart the state’s economy while being mindful of health and safety.
This story was originally published June 21, 2020 at 10:44 AM.
