Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on July 13
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Deaths near 1,000 in SC
At least 58,003 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina, and 961 have died, according to state health officials.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control reported 1,532 new cases of the virus on Monday, down from 2,239 reported Saturday — an all-time daily high since the start of the pandemic.
Cases have been surging in the state, an indicator that virus activity is increasing. Last week, daily case counts ranged from 1,319 to 1,885 cases. The week before, they ranged from 890 to 1,599.
DHEC reported another 13 people died from the virus.
On Sunday, 22.3% of coronavirus tests reported Sunday came back positive — another record and up from 22.2% on Saturday. The number Monday dropped to 21.2%. The increase in positive tests is another indicator of the spread of the virus.
Teachers say more support needed for reopening
To successfully reopen schools and begin in-person learning this fall, more funding and more uniform standards regarding things like protective equipment and classroom cleaning is needed, The Palmetto State Teachers Association said in a letter to top state government and education officials, The State reported.
“Without fully funded and clear standards, the re-opening of schools will only reinforce the inequities present in South Carolina’s schools,” the letter said.
Some school districts have proposed plans that go against recommendations made by the Department of Education’s AcceleratEd task force, recommendations intended to keep students and teachers safe as they resume classroom teaching, according to the letter.
State park visitors required to wear masks
South Carolina state parks officials announced that “effective immediately,” all visitors older than 2 must wear masks while in indoor areas, or spots “staffed by employees or where the general public may congregate,” The State reported.
Those areas include “park offices, visitor centers, stores, nature centers, restrooms or while touring any indoor facility being considered for rent,” according to park officials.
People who don’t bring a mask will be asked to wait outside the park, where employees will assist them “if possible.”
“We thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we work to stop the spread and protect our visitors and employees,” park officials said in a statement.
More hospitals halt elective surgeries
The Charleston-area Roper St. Francis Healthcare system will stop elective surgeries Tuesday to free up staff, beds and resources for coronavirus patients, The State reports.
The Roper St. Francis hospitals went from having 46 in-patients with coronavirus on June 29 to 131 on July 10, the hospital said in a news release.
The Conway Medical Center said over the weekend that it will also stop all elective surgeries as COVID cases continue to climb in Horry County, The Sun News reports.
“We understand these surgical postponements and the visitor restrictions can be an inconvenience, but this is for the health and safety of our patients, staff, and the overall community. The temporary stoppage will hopefully allow time for our community to heal,” CMC president and CEO Bret Barr said in a statement.
First MIS-C cases reported
South Carolina’s first cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, or MIS-C, were reported Sunday.
The syndrome is a rare complication that can be deadly in children and teenagers who have COVID-19 or who have been in contact with someone who is infected.
On Sunday, health officials said two South Carolina children were diagnosed with the illness. Both are under the age of 10. One is from the Midlands region and the other from the Pee Dee region, DHEC said.
Over the weekend, the first coronavirus-related death of a child in South Carolina was reported. The child lived in Chester County and was younger than 5, state health officials said. No other information was released for privacy reasons.
More young people are being infected with COVID-19 throughout the state.
“We continue to see more and more young people, especially those under 20, contracting and spreading COVID-19, and we know MIS-C is a threat to our youngest South Carolinians,” Dr. Linda Bell, state epidemiologist, said in a news release Sunday.
USC cancels in-person graduation
The University of South Carolina canceled its in-person graduation ceremony this year due to the pandemic.
Commencement for recent graduates was planned for Aug. 8 at the football stadium but will now take place virtually on the same day.
USC President Bob Caslen sent a letter to graduates Saturday about the cancellation, explaining that holding a large gathering, such as the planned commencement ceremony, wouldn’t be safe due to COVID-19.
The university still hopes to celebrate 2020 graduates in the future, and they will be invited to the next in-person commencement ceremony the school is able to hold.
Shortages possible in hospitals
Shortages of drugs and health care workers are possible if hospitalizations continue surging in South Carolina, officials say.
On Sunday, the state reported 1,472 people were hospitalized with COVID-19, up from 1,396 reported the day before. The state surpassed 1,000 daily hospitalizations for the first time June 29 and the count hasn’t dropped below 1,000 since.
About 72% of the state’s hospital beds were in use as of Sunday.
A doctor with Prisma Health, one of the state’s largest hospital systems, told The State that physicians already are facing drug shortages, which forces them to decide who gets treatment. Representatives of hospitals on the coast say they’re worried about exhausting their workforce.
State health officials also predict a “dire reality” if things don’t improve.
“I am asking you all to take action, because if we don’t ... we will see more of our friends, our family members and our loved ones become ill, become hospitalized, become ventilated and die,” Dr. Joan Duwve, DHEC public health director, said in a news release Saturday.
This story was originally published July 13, 2020 at 7:15 AM.
