Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on July 6
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
More than 1,500 new cases Monday
At least 46,247 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina, and 819 have died, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Monday reported 1,505 new cases and six additional deaths.
The percentage of positive test results was 18.8% as of Monday — a sharp increase from May, when that figure fell between 2% and 4%, The State reports.
Hospitals are at 69.07% capacity statewide, with 1,260 of 7,377 beds occupied by coronavirus patients.
Worldwide, more than 11.5 million cases of the coronavirus and more than 535,000 deaths have been reported, according to Johns Hopkins University. In the United States, more than 2.9 million cases and more than 130,000 deaths have been reported.
No citations over masks at Myrtle Beach
Police in the Myrtle Beach area didn’t issue any citations over the Fourth of July weekend for people not wearing masks — despite a face mask ordinance that went into effect Friday.
The Myrtle Beach City Council passed an ordinance requiring face coverings be worn inside retail stores, restaurants and businesses, The Myrtle Beach Sun News reports. Violators can be fined up to $100.
But officials said it would be difficult to enforce.
Myrtle Beach police said they didn’t issue any citations but received numerous phone calls with questions about the ordinance. In Horry County, two people called 911 to report people not wearing masks but no citations were issued.
Horry County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Kelly More told The Sun News officers “are still looking for voluntary compliance.”
Spike in Myrtle Beach cases linked to testing delays
A record high in reported coronavirus cases on July 4 in Myrtle Beach is likely due to delays in labs processing tests.
Officials reported 358 new cases in Horry County on July 4 — more than 100 cases higher than any other day, The Myrtle Beach Sun-News reports.
But a “sizeable portion” of those cases can be linked back to the county’s largest free clinic held June 26 by Tidelands Health at Coastal Carolina University, a spokeswoman said. The clinic had testing supplies for up to 2,500 people.
The spokesperson said results from the clinic were received by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control lab on Thursday and Friday.
Between the two days, the tests confirmed 323 COVID-19 cases with a positive rate of 13%.
Inmates test positive
More than 100 inmates at the Tyger River Correctional Institution have tested positive for the coronavirus, The State reports.
The number of positive test results crept up to 124 as of Sunday night, accounting for one-third of all active cases among the state’s prison population and making it the largest outbreak at any correctional facility in South Carolina. An additional 14 cases are attributed to staff members.
The Enoree facility is home to 907 inmates who live in a dorm-like atmosphere with many shared spaces, which has allowed the virus to spread quickly and made it more difficult to quarantine individual prisoners.
Prison officials told The State it has taken a “herculean effort” to contain the spread of COVID-19 among inmates and staff.
A full living unit of the prison has now become a dedicated area for inmates who test positive.
Rock Hill becomes latest SC city to require masks
Rock Hill has joined a growing list of South Carolina cities and counties that are requiring people to wear face masks in public places.
The Rock Hill City Council voted Monday to mandate masks in restaurants and retail stores, including grocery stores and pharmacies, The Herald reported. The rule goes into effect Friday morning.
Here’s a list of some other areas of the state where masks are required.
New Jersey links spike to Myrtle Beach
On Sunday, New Jersey became the latest state to link a spike in coronavirus cases to people who visited Myrtle Beach, N.J. Gov. Phil Murphy said on “Meet the Press.”
“We’re starting to see small spikes in reinfection from folks coming back from places like Myrtle Beach, as well as in Florida, other hot spots,” Murphy said. “To me it says we need a national strategy. We’re only as strong as our weakest link right now.”
Myrtle Beach and Horry County continue to be a trouble spot on the coast, though the 158 new cases reported Sunday were down significantly from the record-high 358 the day before.
Horry County has had 4,480 cases since mid-March, The Sun News reports.
Schools lose contact with thousands of students
More than 16,000 public school students in South Carolina could not be reached after the state switched to remote learning in late March, according to a state Department of Education survey.
The students account for 2% of South Carolina’s public school population, The State reports.
Officials pointed to several potential reasons for students’ virtual absence. They might have gone to live with relatives because of a lack of child care, or they might not have access to WiFi or computers. The state also has many military families and migrant-worker families.
This story was originally published July 6, 2020 at 7:37 AM.