More than 900 new cases of COVID-19, nine deaths reported by SC health officials
Cases of the coronavirus continued to climb in South Carolina on Sunday.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control reported 907 new cases of COVID-19. That brings the total number of confirmed cases to 24,661 since testing began in March.
S.C. health officials also reported nine new deaths, bringing the death toll in the state to 653.
Six of the deaths occurred in elderly individuals from Chester, Colleton, and two each from Florence Richland counties. Three deaths occurred in middle-aged individuals from Richland, Spartanburg and Sumter counties.
In the Midlands, there were 43 new cases in Lexington County, and 33 in Richland County. Greenville County had the most new cases with 133 and Horry County had 115, while there were 109 in Charleston County.
It is the fourth consecutive day there have been more than 900 new cases reported in South Carolina. More than 1,000 new cases were reported the previous two days, including a record 1,115 cases on Saturday.
State health officials are projecting 4,354 new cases for the upcoming week and have been urging members of the public to wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines to protect their health and others.
Linda Bell, state epidemiologist for the Department of Health and Environmental Control, said recently that “every day that we don’t all do our part, we are extending the duration” of the COVID-19 virus.
“Every one of us has a role to play in stopping COVID-19. 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.
PGA Tour player Justin Thomas, competing in the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing at Harbour Town Golf Links, suggested Saturday the visitors’ relaxed attitudes around Sea Pines could be to blame for fellow tour player Nick Watney testing positive for the virus Friday.
“I mean, no offense to Hilton Head, but they’re seeming to not take it very seriously,” Thomas said. “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.
The total number of individuals statewide was 5,622 (not including antibody tests) and the percent positive was 16.1%. Since June 8, positive tests have exceeded 10% of the total tests performed on every day but June 14.
When the percent positive is high, it may indicate that there isn’t enough testing being performed to capture how much disease is in the community and testing may be focused on people who are more severely ill.
South Carolina ranks third among states in percentage of positive tests, according to Johns Hopkins University. World Health Organization said to aim for a positivity rate of 10 percent or lower.
As of Sunday morning, 3,296 inpatient hospital beds are available and 7,173 are in use, which is a 69% statewide hospital bed utilization rate. Of the 7,173 inpatient beds currently used, 692 are occupied by patients who have either tested positive or are under investigation for COVID-19.
As of Sunday afternoon, 8,827,934 people worldwide have been diagnosed with coronavirus, 464,973 people have died, and 4,385,705 have recovered, according to Johns Hopkins University. The United States leads the world with 2,260,972 people who have been diagnosed with the novel virus. In the United States, 119,762 deaths have been reported, including 31,083 in New York City.
This story was originally published June 21, 2020 at 12:28 PM.
