SC reports 1,273 new COVID-19 cases, higher hospitalization rates
South Carolina recorded another record high of coronavirus cases on Friday, as health state health officials announced that another 1,273 South Carolinians have tested positive for COVID-19.
It was the second highest single-day increases in virus cases, said Dr. Joan Duwve, head of public health for the state’s Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Since March, South Carolina has logged more than 30,000 positive cases.
Meanwhile, Duwve said Friday that one person described as elderly from Greenville County had died after contracting the virus, bringing the statewide death toll to 694.
Which counties were affected?
Charleston County reported the highest number of cases — 216 — on Friday.
In the Midlands, Richland County reported an increase of 98 cases and Lexington County reported 109.
What’s new
Gov. Henry McMaster vowed Friday that he would not reopen any more types of businesses until the coronavirus’ rate of spread falls.
Currently, activities including spectator sports and night clubs are still closed.
“We have no plans to lift restrictions on these highly active groups and activities until we see our numbers go down,” McMaster said.
The governor also urged residents to take safety precautions.
“This is a dang deadly disease,” McMaster said. “You have to follow the rules and wear your mask.”
“For goodness’ sakes, wear your mask,” he added.
How are hospitals being impacted?
Health officials on Friday said South Carolina’s hospital beds are filling up with COVID-19 patients.
Earlier this week, the number of beds occupied by COVID-19 patients shot up by nearly 100 in a day. By Friday, health officials said 906 of the 7,885 occupied hospital beds were being used by coronavirus patients, breaking the record set earlier this week.
Statewide, hospitals are at nearly 75.4% capacity.
Locally, hospitals are in worse shape, data shows.
Hospitals in Lexington and Richland counties are at 88.2% and 77.9% capacity, respectively.
McMaster said Friday the state is prepared to implement a plan to create new hospital beds should cases continue to surge, and, if necessary, he may require medical facilities to postpone elective procedures again if the state needs more hospital beds.
“We need to be sure we have plenty of space to make sure if rates continue to rise we can do it,” McMaster said.
Are all cases accounted for?
Health officials estimate as many as 86% of all COVID-19 cases in the state are undiagnosed or untested.
As of Friday, officials said they estimate that a total of 216,200 people have likely contracted the virus since March.
State health officials have also started to track what they consider to be probable cases or probable deaths.
A probable case is someone who has not received lab test results but has virus symptoms or a positive antibody test. A probable death is someone whose death certificate lists COVID-19 as a cause of death or a contributing factor, but has not gotten a lab test.
On Friday, DHEC identified two new probable cases and no probable deaths.
How is COVID-19 trending in SC?
The Palmetto State has seen record daily coronavirus case counts each day for the last three weeks.
DHEC officials said that that is one indicator that the virus’ activity is increasing dramatically. Last week, the state’s daily case counts fell between 577 and 1,157. The week before, DHEC reported between 434 and 802 cases daily.
State health officials also use the percentage of tests that turn up positive to gauge the coronavirus’ rate of spread.
Over the last 28 days, that number has risen.
Officials on Friday reported about 18.3% of tests turned up positive. That number is higher than what health officials saw in March and early April. In May, at its lowest point, the percentage of positive tests fell between 2% to 4% on average.
Why are case numbers up?
Health officials say the surge in daily case counts is a result of people not practicing safety precautions, including wearing masks.
“Quite frankly, it’s troubling that not enough people are taking this pandemic seriously,” state epidemiologist Linda Bell said Wednesday, adding that a statewide mask requirement could help to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Since April 20, the governor has gradually reopened businesses, including restaurants, retailers, beaches, gyms and salons.
This week, McMaster announced the start of a new program that offers restaurants decals to show they are following precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and DHEC.
Local officials have taken their own steps to curb the spread of the coronavirus, including in Columbia where masks are now required.
How is DHEC’s testing plan impacting case numbers?
Health officials said this week that the expansion of testing could be driving up the numbers. But it’s not the sole reason, they said.
“Doing testing doesn’t create new cases,” Bell said Wednesday. “When we test, we’re finding cases that are already out there.”
COVID-19 testing has been relatively steady from May 10 to June 13, when labs across the state completed about 35,000 tests a week.
Since, labs completed about 44,300 tests, bringing the statewide test total to 370,794 tests since March.
Health officials plan to complete about 140,000 tests each month in July and August and reach 165,000 tests a month by 2021.
This story was originally published June 26, 2020 at 4:45 PM.
