Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on June 30

We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.

Cases top 36,000

At least 36,297 people in South Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus, and 735 have died, according to state health officials.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Tuesday reported an additional 1,741 people tested positive for COVID-19, setting yet another daily record. The previous high of 1,599 was recorded Saturday.

Health officials also reported an additional 19 deaths Tuesday.

Hospitalizations continue to rise, with 1,021 beds filled Tuesday by COVID-19 patients, or people suspected of having the virus. That’s slightly down from yesterday’s total of 1,032. There are 7,620 occupied beds across the state, putting hospitals at 71.5% capacity.

As many as 86% of all coronavirus cases in South Carolina have likely gone undiagnosed or untested, health officials said. That would put the total number of cases since March at an estimated 295,264 as of Tuesday.

Worldwide, more than 10.3 million cases of the coronavirus and more than 508,000 deaths have been reported as of Tuesday, according to Johns Hopkins University. In the United States, more than 2.6 million cases and more than 127,000 deaths have been reported.

Where and when to wear masks

With more South Carolina communities adopting mask mandates, each with their own unique rules, many may be feeling unsure about when and where they should mask up, or what the consequences are if they don’t.

The State has taken a look at all the towns and cities with mask requirements and provided a rundown of what’s important to know in Columbia, Myrtle Beach, Mount Pleasant, Spartanburg, and many more communities.

With potential fines ranging from $25 to $500 or more, it’s worth it to know the rules wherever you are or may be going in the Palmetto State.

North Myrtle Beach mandates masks

The North Myrtle Beach City Council passed a new rule Tuesday requiring people to wear masks while in the city, The Sun News reported, making it the first Horry County community to do so.

“There is a responsibility for all of us to look out for the health and safety or our community,” Mayor Marilyn Hatley said. “Wearing a mask is a simple thing. It’s easy to wear them into the stores.”

DHEC says stay home for Fourth of July

DHEC officials are asking people in South Carolina to avoid gatherings and stay home to celebrate the Fourth of July this year to slow the spread of COVID-19.

For people who do go to a fireworks display for July Fourth, public health officials ask that everyone stay in their cars, The State reports.

“More and more of South Carolina’s positive cases are individuals who participated in group gatherings without keeping a safe distance from others or wearing masks,” DHEC officials said, according to The State.

100 students from DC area test positive after Myrtle Beach trip

Public health officials in Virginia say about 100 students from the Washington, D.C. area tested positive for COVID-19 after vacationing in Myrtle Beach, The Sun News reports.

Coronavirus cases have been linked back to South Carolina beach towns in tourists from Kentucky, Ohio, eastern Virginia and West Virginia, according to The Sun News.

High school teams halt workouts

High school football teams and other sports got the green-light to start workouts on June 8 after school sports were canceled in the spring. But as the number of coronavirus cases continues to climb, many counties have stopped practice.

Districts in Richland and Lexington counties are postponing summer workouts, The State reports. They join teams around the state, including in Horry, Beaufort, Fairfield, Newberry, Orangeburg, Georgetown, Greenville and Laurens counties to put the brakes on high school sports this summer as the pandemic grows.

Counties, cities weigh mask mandates

As coronavirus cases continue to rise in South Carolina, county leaders and city council members are thinking more about whether to require masks, the Rock Hill Herald reported.

“I am troubled that our council chairman has not called a special meeting where we can discuss a mask requirement during this COVID-19 pandemic. We owe it to the citizens so that everyone knows where each council member stands on this issue,” York County Councilman William “Bump” Roddey said.

Rock Hill City Council member Nikita Jackson said she has “people text, email, call, and reach out to me saying that they want to help push a requirement that would keep all residents of the city safe.”

The Lancaster City Council is calling a special meeting Tuesday specifically to discuss a possible mask mandate, according to the Rock Hill Herald, and the Chester City Council did the same Monday.

Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach officials are also considering face mask requirements, according to The Sun News. South Carolina’s biggest cities, including Charleston, Columbia and Greenville, already have some kind of mask requirement in place.

Starting Wednesday, people in Hilton Head will have to wear a mask when in businesses.

Face masks will be required in commercial spaces such as bars, restaurants, grocery stores and other retail outlets, The Island Packet reports.

The City of Beaufort also passed a mask rule Monday, requiring anyone in public buildings to wear a face covering, according to The Island Packet. People in Beaufort could face a civil penalty and a $50 fine if they refuse to wear a mask.

Virus found in juvenile justice facilities

The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice said at least two minors have tested positive for the coronavirus, The State reports.

One of the minors is at a “community-based residential facility” and the other is at the Midlands Evaluation Center, officials said.

As of Sunday, 16 employees with the department have tested positive for the virus, according to The State.

What people are talking about

Gov. Henry McMaster has requiring face masks to limit the spread of the coronavirus would be unenforceable. The University of South Carolina Social Media Insights Lab looked at what people are saying about it online. Read more here.

This story was originally published June 30, 2020 at 7:29 AM.