Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on July 14

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

SC hits 60,000 confirmed cases

At least 60,220 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina, and 984 have died, according to state health officials.

Public health officials reported 2,205 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and 23 confirmed deaths from the virus Tuesday.

Tuesday’s numbers are just short of the 2,239-case record the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control reported Saturday.

Charleston County had the highest number of new cases with 412 reported Tuesday, DHEC said. Richland County reported 232 and Greenville had 210. Horry County reported 148 new cases Tuesday, according to DHEC.

DHEC said there are 1,550 patients in hospital beds “who have either tested positive or are under investigation for COVID-19.”

Columbia police officer dies from coronavirus

An officer with the Columbia Police Department has died due to COVID-19, chief Skip Holbrook announced Tuesday, The State reported.

Master Police Officer Robert J. “Bob” Hall, 57, had been with the department 35 years, and is survived by his wife, two children and grandchildren.

Hall is the only known CPD officer to have died as a result of the virus.

“Officer Robert ‘Bob’ Hall exemplified everything that is expected out of a 21st Century police officer – service before self, professionalism, integrity, and compassion,” Holbrook said.

“MPO Hall served with distinction and honor for more than three decades and has left a lasting legacy at the Columbia Police Department. He will be greatly missed. I ask for everyone’s continued prayers for Bob’s family and the CPD family.”

Sen. Graham: Undermining Fauci isn’t productive

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham called Dr. Anthony Fauci “one of the smartest people I know,” and said efforts by the Trump administration to discredit him are not productive, The State reported.

“[Fauci has] been around a long time. He’s one of the smartest people I know. Has he been right all the time? No,” Graham, a Republican, said of Fauci. “We don’t have a Dr. Fauci problem. We need to be focusing on doing things that get us to where we need to go. I have all the respect in the world for Dr. Fauci. I think any effort to undermine him is not going to be productive quite frankly.”

Graham spoke to reporters Tuesday at the S.C. Hospital Association office, following a meeting with hospital administrators.

According to reports, White House officials have been attempting to discredit Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, who has expressed concerns over reopening and the country’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Could Myrtle Beach area hit 1,000 cases a day?

A new study shows Horry County could see 1,000 new coronavirus cases a day by July 30 if current guidelines on social distancing continue, The Sun News reports.

The projected numbers for the Myrtle Beach area are the highest in the state. Horry County has seen several days in recent weeks with more than 200 confirmed cases. Charleston and Greenville counties have regularly had higher daily case counts.

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 state 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.

Hospitals halt elective surgeries

The Charleston-area Roper St. Francis Healthcare system will stop elective surgeries 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.

This story was originally published July 14, 2020 at 7:40 AM.