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

Total cases pass 41,000

At least 41,413 people in South Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus, and 787 have died, according to state health officials.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control reported an additional 10 deaths Friday.

Health officials also reported Friday an additional 1,558 people tested positive for COVID-19, the 10th consecutive day with more than 1,000 new cases.

Charleston County reported the most new confirmed cases Friday at 267, DHEC said. Horry County had 237 and Greenville County reported 128.

Worldwide, more than 10.9 million cases of the coronavirus and more than 523,000 deaths have been reported as of Friday, according to Johns Hopkins University. In the United States, more than 2.7 million cases and more than 129,000 deaths have been reported.

Another state ties COVID cases to Myrtle Beach

Pennsylvania health officials have launched an investigation after multiple residents returned home with coronavirus infections after visiting Myrtle Beach, The Sun News reported.

Several other states have also linked COVID-19 cases among residents to South Carolina.

Allegheny County, Pennsylvania saw 712 confirmed cases during the last week of June. Some of those cases are people who had recently been to Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head, according to officials. Raleigh, Tampa, Nashville, and Miami were also named.

16,000 students unaccounted for

After making the switch to remote learning, South Carolina schools have had a difficult time maintaining contact with all students, and have been unable to reach more than 16,000 of them since schools closed, according to The State.

School administrators said financial and logistical challenges are likely causes for why roughly 2% of registered students are unaccounted for. Many families may also have moved to other districts and states.

Administrators said they are concerned for the safety and well-being of some of those 16,000 children.

“The ones we are most concerned with is those students who maybe have a history of abuse or neglect, and that being a reason as to why schools haven’t been able to reach them,” Department of Education spokesperson Ryan Brown said.

Four scenarios for high school sports this fall

The S.C. Football Coaches Association board of directors met this week to discuss strategies and alternatives for high school sports in the fall, if the coronavirus isn’t under control in the state.

They came up with four plans: The first is to simply stick to the regular schedule and hope coronavirus figures drastically improve to the point where sports can be safely played., which most coaches agreed was unlikely.

The second calls for games to start in mid-September, reducing the number of games in the season, and focusing on regional play. Playoff schedules would be smaller as well.

The third plan would have low-risk sports played in the fall, moderate risk sports in the winter, and high risk in the spring.

“According to the National High School Federation, low risk sports include cross country, golf, tennis, swimming, and track and field. Moderate risk sports are baseball, basketball, volleyball, softball and soccer. High risk sports are wrestling, football, boys lacrosse and competitive cheer,” The State reported.

The fourth plan is to call off sports entirely for the first semester, and jamming them all into the second semester starting January. Seasons would be just two months and only regional champions could go to playoffs.

Nursing home plan delayed

After ordering the state Department of Health and Environmental Control to form guidelines allowing immediate family to visit loved ones in nursing homes, Gov. Henry McMaster has reversed course, The State reported.

In a series of tweets, McMaster explained that the development of planned guidelines is being postponed in the face of surging coronavirus cases, saying it is “a heartbreaking situation for loved ones, but the rising rate of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations leaves us no choice.”

Richland County to require masks

Richland County Council passed an ordinance Thursday requiring people to wear masks while patronizing area businesses, The State reported.

Richland County joined a growing number of municipalities to pass mask mandates in an effort to slow spread of the coronavirus.

The ordinance goes into effect July 6, and there will be a $25 fine for violators.

Lexington passes mask mandate

The town of Lexington is now requiring people to wear masks inside of businesses, The State reported.

The new rule went into effect immediately following a Thursday vote.

“The town council and the town of Lexington has determined, based on the recommendations of public health experts and responsive to a serious threat to the public health, and welfare of its citizens, that it would serve the public interest ... to require that individuals wear face coverings in certain situations and locations,” the ordinance said.

McClatchy News and The State are tracking local emergency mask orders here.

What would happen if SC required masks?

Public health researchers say the number of new daily coronavirus cases in South Carolina would drop dramatically if the state required people to wear masks.

Forecasts from the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation show South Carolina’s daily case counts plummet if people start wearing masks when they can’t maintain social distancing, The Sun News reports.

The University of Washington forecast models are used by federal public health officials and the state DHEC to predict the future of the pandemic.

McMaster: No football this fall if COVID trends continue

Gov. Henry McMaster said Wednesday if current coronavirus trends continue, he will not lift statewide bans on large venues and events such as spectator sports, movie theaters and concerts — and that would mean no high school or college football this fall.

“I cannot lift those restrictions if these numbers continue to rise and the danger persists. I can’t do it. I won’t do it,” McMaster said of the rules, which have been in place since March.

The governor has resisted issuing a statewide mask mandate. Instead, McMaster once again hammered on the personal responsibility of people in South Carolina to cover their faces and practice social distancing.

“Let me make it very clear. Wear a mask and social distance now so we can enjoy high school and college football in South Carolina this fall,” McMaster posted to Twitter immediately following a Wednesday press conference.

What people are talking about

Social media conversations about the Fourth of July in South Carolina have focused more on fireworks and celebrations than staying home, according to an analysis by the University of South Carolina Social Media Insights Lab. Read more here.