Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on June 25
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Cases near 30,000
At least 28,962 people in South Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus and 691 have died, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Thursday reported an additional 1,106 cases of the virus, a drop from 1,291 reported Wednesday, the highest single-day increase.
Charleston County had the highest jump Thursday, with 208 new positive tests. Greenville and Horry counties each had 126 new cases, according to DHEC.
Health officials reported eight confirmed deaths and two probable deaths Thursday.
A total of 881 hospital beds were filled Thursday with people who have the coronavirus or are suspected of having it, up 832 from Wednesday, DHEC said. The number of those hospitalized for COVID-19 is up by 150 since Monday.
More than 9.5 million cases of COVID-19 and 490,000 deaths have been reported worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University. In the United States, more than 2.4 million cases and 124,000 deaths have been reported.
High school students infected during beach trip
A group of Columbia high school students went on a week-long trip to the Grand Strand in early June and came back infected with the coronavirus, according to The State.
They were clustered together throughout the trip, often not wearing face masks, sources told the outlet.
“The only way you should be going to the beach is with your family, and if you go out, you should social distance and wear a mask,” a Columbia-area health care professional who is close to the high school cases told The State. They asked not to be identified out of concern for the privacy of their health community.
Other sources said there have been numerous instances of young people heading to the Grand Strand and getting infected.
Myrtle Beach tourism leaders encourage wearing masks
The Myrtle Beach area has gotten national attention recently after tourists contracted the virus while vacationing along the Grand Strand.
Most recently a group of high school students from Columbia reported getting the coronavirus during a vacation in Litchfield, south of Myrtle Beach, according to The State.
The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce said wearing a mask now is more important than ever, not just to slow the spread of the virus but to give tourists confidence about vacationing in the area, The Sun News reports.
“Horry County has had a difficult and challenging week. We’ve been the subject of national negative media of incidents that have happened in Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia,” Chamber CEO Karen Riordan said. “They visited with us but did not wear masks.”
AG: Yes, cities can require you to wear a mask
Cities are allowed to pass ordinances requiring people to wear masks in public spaces, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson said Wednesday.
Wilson’s statement comes in response to questions raised after the cities of Columbia and Greenville passed mask ordinances in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
“Many people are upset about these ordinances and I can understand their frustration,” Wilson said. “However, just because you believe something is bad government does not make it unconstitutional government. Sometimes the remedy for a bad government action is not a legal remedy but a political remedy at the ballot box.”
State laws generally supersede those of local governments and municipalities, according to Wilson, but in the absence of any statewide rule regarding masks, cities can make their own rules.
“Our state Constitution and state laws have given cities the authority to pass these types of ordinances under the doctrine of Home Rule,” Wilson said in a statement. “The basic premise behind the Home Rule doctrine is to empower local governments (ie: towns, cities and counties) to effectively govern themselves without interference from state government.”
Top health official talks statewide mask policy
Stopping short of saying South Carolina should adopt a statewide face mask policy, state epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell highlighted how effective the strategy would likely be in slowing the spread of coronavirus, The State reported.
“As we continue to witness the rise in cases, if we work at strengthening mask requirements one municipality at a time, I do feel like we won’t get to where we need to be quickly enough,” Bell said during a conference call with reporters Wednesday.
“On a statewide basis, it would certainly be much more effective,” Bell said.
SC travelers must quarantine in 3 states
People from South Carolina who travel to New Jersey, New York and Connecticut will have to quarantine for 14 days, officials said Wednesday.
Governors from New Jersey and Connecticut joined New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to make the announcement, The Sun News reports. Cuomo said visitors from states with high infection rates will have to quarantine. The states include: South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, Washington, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Utah and Texas.
Congressional candidate tests positive
The Republican congressional candidate challenging Rep. Joe Cunningham tested positive for the coronavirus, according to The State.
Nancy Mace said Tuesday night that she had the virus. Cunningham, a Charleston Democrat, also tested positive for the coronavirus. He announced his diagnosis in March and had only mild symptoms, The State reports.
Airline drops flights to Myrtle Beach
United Airlines will stop flying to Myrtle Beach, at least for now. The airline said it was cutting these flights because of the drop in air travel during the coronavirus pandemic, The Sun News reports.
What people are talking about
Social media users had plenty to say about the new face mask requirements in Columbia and Greenville. The University of South Carolina Social Media Insights Lab looked at 2,500 comments on the issue and found that about 40% of posts showed support for the rules. Read more here.
This story was originally published June 25, 2020 at 7:19 AM.