Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on June 28
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Cases top 33,000
At least 33,221 people in South Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus, and 712 have died, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Sunday reported an additional 1,366 cases of the virus, down from 1,599 reported Saturday — an all-time high. The previous record was 1,290, set Tuesday.
Health officials also reported an additional five deaths Sunday.
As many as 86% of all coronavirus cases in South Carolina have likely gone undiagnosed, health officials have said. That would put the total number of cases since March at 227,500 as of Sunday.
Hospitalizations reach record high
A total of 954 hospital beds in South Carolina are occupied by coronavirus patients as of Sunday, a record high.
Sunday’s total broke the previous high of 908 hospitalizations set on Saturday.
Hospitals in South Carolina are at nearly 71.23% capacity as of Sunday, according to officials. Gov. Henry McMaster has said the state is prepared to implement a plan to create new hospital beds if cases continue surging. He may also require medical facilities to postpone elective procedures again if the state needs more hospital beds.
The number of hospitalizations has been increasing sharply in South Carolina.
Virus activity increasing
Over the past three weeks, South Carolina has consistently seen record daily coronavirus case counts, an indicator that coronavirus activity is increasing dramatically.
Last week, DHEC reported no less than 892 new cases every day, hitting nearly 1,600 Saturday. The week before, the state’s daily case counts fell between 577 and 1,157 and the week before that, it fell between between 434 and 802 cases daily.
The percentage of positive tests, which health officials use to gauge the rate of spread, has also gone up.
The average has risen roughly 10 percentage points over the past 28 days. Last week, the percentage ranged from 12.6% to 20.1%.
In May, the percentage ranged from 2% to 4% on average.
The state is projecting 7,159 new cases of the coronavirus during the upcoming week.
Health officials say the surge in cases is a result of people not wearing face masks or practicing social distancing.
The state has also been gradually reopening businesses since April 20. But Gov. Henry McMaster says he will not reimpose any restrictions or issue a statewide face mask mandate. Some local governments have issued face mask requirements of their own.
Infection rates high for SC beach visitors
Anybody who has been to a South Carolina beach recently should get tested for coronavirus, officials said Friday.
“If you’ve gone to the beach, you’ve likely come in contact with somebody who is positive, but perhaps asymptomatic,” Joan Duwve, director of public health with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, said Friday.
Infection rates are particularly high among young beach-goers, Duwve said, adding she has reports of entire groups catching the virus from their visits.
This story was originally published June 28, 2020 at 10:33 AM.
