Coronavirus
More than 1,500 coronavirus new cases, 38 deaths reported in South Carolina
South Carolina health officials announced they had identified 1,537 new coronavirus cases across the state Wednesday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases since March to 48,770.
About one in five people tested for the virus tested positive, an indicator that the virus is spreading more rapidly than it did in March and April.
Thirty-eight additional people who tested positive for the virus also died, according to the state Department of Health and Environmental Control. That brings the statewide death toll up to 876.
Not everyone reported dead passed in the last 24 hours, though, according to DHEC. The record breaking number of deaths is due to a delay in reporting of deaths spanning back to June 24, the agency noted without providing the specific number of deaths that weren’t previously reported.
“The agency is reiterating to healthcare facilities and providers across the state that all COVID-19-related deaths must be reported to DHEC by phone within 24 hours, in accordance with the South Carolina List of Reportable Conditions,” the statement read.
State health officials also reported a record number of hospitalized coronavirus patients, with more than 1,400 people with COVID-19 or suspected to have it occupying hospital beds at this time, almost three times it was this time last month.
Which counties were affected?
While the majority of the people who died after contracting COVID-19 were elderly, DHEC reported Wednesday that a young adult from Laurens County was among the latest deaths. Three middle-aged residents from Spartanburg County, along with one from Charleston County and one from Horry County, were also reported dead from the disease.
The elderly patients who died were from the following counties: Charleston (5), Dillon (1), Dorchester (1), Georgetown (2), Greenville (6), Horry (6), Kershaw (1), Laurens (2), Orangeburg (2), Pickens (1), Richland (2), Saluda (1) and Spartanburg (2).
Charleston County saw the largest increase in identified coronavirus cases, with 260 reported Wednesday.
Locally, Richland County saw 66 new cases, and Lexington County saw 86.
What’s new?
The New York Times reported Wednesday that South Carolina had more coronavirus cases per million people last week than several countries with some of the worst outbreaks in the world.
From June 28 to July 4, the Palmetto State saw nearly 11,000 newly identified cases.
South Carolina topped countries like Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Panama, according to the Times’ analysis.
Are all cases accounted for?
State health officials estimate that they’ve only identified about 14% of coronavirus cases across the state, meaning that 86% of South Carolinians with the virus go undiagnosed. On Wednesday, they estimated a total of 348,357 people in the state have likely contracted the virus since March.
DHEC has also started to track what officials consider to be probable cases or probable deaths.
A probable case is someone who has not received lab test results but has virus symptoms or a positive antibody test. A probable death is someone who has not gotten a lab test but whose death certificate lists COVID-19 as a cause of death or a contributing factor.
On Wednesday, they did not report any additional probable cases or deaths.
How are hospitals being impacted?
The number of COVID-19 patients who are hospitalized is reaching new highs each week. On Tuesday, the state saw a record after DHEC reported more than 1,300 patients in the hospital.
On Monday of last week, state health officials reported that more than 1,000 coronavirus patients were occupying hospital beds across the state, breaking that record for the first time. Hospitals have seen more than 1,000 COVID-19 patients every day since.
As of Wednesday, 1,404 of the 7,991 occupied hospital beds in the state are being used by patients with COVID-19, marking a new record high. That means that 17.6% of all beds in use are being occupied by coronavirus patients.
On June 8, a month ago, only 507 beds were occupied by coronavirus patients.
Across the state, hospitals were at an average of about 75.5% capacity.
Locally, hospitals are even more pressed for space. About 78% of Richland County hospital beds are filled, and 85% of beds in Lexington County are occupied.
S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster has said the state is ready to implement a plan to create new bed space if hospitals become overburdened. He added he may require medical facilities to postpone elective procedures again.
How is COVID-19 trending in SC?
The Palmetto State has seen record daily coronavirus case counts since June. The surge in cases is one indicator that the virus’ activity is increasing across the state. Last week, daily case counts ranged from 1,319 to a record 1,885 cases. The week before, they fell between 890 and 1,599.
State health officials also reported that the percentage of tests that turn up positive — another indicator of the coronavirus’ spread — has been rising over the last 28 days.
Officials reported that 21% of tests reported Wednesday turned out positive. That number is higher than what health officials saw in March and early April. In May, at its lowest point, the percentage of positive tests fell between 2% and 4% on average.
Nationally, about 8.7% of tests turn up positive, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Why are case numbers up?
DHEC officials say case counts are surging because more people are leaving their homes as businesses reopen and fewer are practicing social distancing and wearing masks.
Since April 20, the governor has gradually reopened businesses, including restaurants, retailers, beaches, gyms and salons. McMaster has repeatedly said he would not consider closing businesses again or requiring South Carolinians to wear masks in response to the coronavirus case explosion.
In contrast to McMaster’s statements, state epidemiologist Linda Bell has said a statewide mask requirement could help to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Local officials have taken their own steps to curb the spread of the coronavirus, including in Columbia where masks are now required.
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