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

19 COVID deaths reported Tuesday

At least 47,214 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina, and 838 have died, according to state health officials.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Tuesday reported 934 new cases and 19 additional deaths. That number is down from 1,505 new cases reported Monday, and it’s the first day since June 22 that the new case count dropped below 1,000.

The percentage of positive test results was 20.7% as of Tuesday — a sharp increase from May, when that figure fell between 2% and 4%, The State reports.

Hospitals are at 72.9% capacity statewide, with 1,324 of 7,377 beds occupied by coronavirus patients.

Worldwide, more than 11.7 million cases of the coronavirus and more than 542,000 deaths have been reported, according to Johns Hopkins University. In the United States, more than 2.9 million cases and more than 131,000 deaths have been reported as of Tuesday afternoon.

Record hospitalizations

There are 1,324 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Tuesday, a new record high, The State reported.

South Carolina has 7,734 hospital beds in total, and is currently sitting at 72.9% capacity. Hospitals statewide are, on average, at 73% capacity.

Gov. Henry McMaster has said the state has a plan ready if the problem continues to get worse, and added that he may order elective procedures postponed once again, if necessary.

Medicaid will cover testing for uninsured

South Carolina’s uninsured are covered for the cost of COVID-19 testing, the S.C. Department of Health and Human Services announced Tuesday, The State reported.

Starting Tuesday, South Carolinians who are uninsured, and have proper citizenship and immigration status, can apply for reimbursement through the state Medicaid program. A social security number is also required.

Tests must be taken through providers that accept Healthy Connections Medicaid. All providers that do are listed on the SCDHHS website.

Reimbursement applications can be found at scdhhs.gov/COVID-19 and clicking on “Apply for COVID-19 Limited Benefit Coverage” will download the application.

Inmate dies

An inmate from Kirkland Correctional Institution died at a hospital near the Columbia prison after contracting the coronavirus, the Department of Corrections said Monday. Mark Lee Trammell, 60, was already terminally ill when he tested positive for COVID-19, The State reports. He had been in the hospital since July 2, according to the department.

Trammel is the fourth inmate from a prison in South Carolina confirmed to have died after testing positive for the coronavirus, according to The State.

Bikefest canceled

Atlantic Beach Bikefest, a major annual event in the Myrtle Beach area over the Memorial Day weekend, had been delayed until Labor Day because of the coronavirus pandemic. But the Atlantic Beach Town Council voted Monday to cancel the 2020 Bikefest, also known as Black Bike Week, The Sun News reports.

City leaders also voted to extend its emergency order and require face masks in the beach town, according to the newspaper.

The Harley-Davidson Myrtle Beach bike rally, the area’s other annual motorcycle rally, was also postponed this spring. That rally is still planned for next week, The Sun News reports.

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 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 number of 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 Sun News reports.

But a “sizable 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 setting with many shared spaces, which has made it 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 reports. The rule goes into effect Friday morning.

Here’s a list of some other areas of the state where masks are required.

What people are talking about

Social media campaigns are encouraging people in South Carolina to wear face masks. The University of South Carolina Social Media Insights Lab looked at what people are saying. Read more here.

Hayley Fowler

704-358-5414

Hayley Fowler is a reporter at The Charlotte Observer covering breaking and real-time news across North and South Carolina. She has a journalism degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and previously worked as a legal reporter in New York City before joining the Observer in 2019.