Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on July 16

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

DHEC reports 69 more deaths

More than 1,000 people have died from the coronavirus in South Carolina, the Department of Health and Environmental Control reported Thursday.

At least 63,880 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina, and 1,053 have died, according to state health officials.

Public health officials reported 1,842 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and 69 new confirmed deaths from the virus Thursday, the highest single-day death total DHEC has recorded since the pandemic began. Officials said some of deaths reported Thursday were from the past several weeks and had not been reported earlier.

DHEC said there are 1,578 patients in hospital beds as of Thursday “who have either tested positive or are under investigation for COVID-19.” There are 214 people on ventilators for treatment of the virus, according to DHEC.

Public health officials estimate about 86% of people in South Carolina who have contracted the coronavirus since March have not been tested. That means the actual number of cases since the pandemic hit the state is about 443,000, The State reports.

School nurse group weighs in on reopening plan

The South Carolina Association of School Nurses is calling on Gov. Henry McMaster to rethink a directive he issued Wednesday pushing schools to hold in-person classes five days a week, The State reported.

In a letter to McMaster, the association says that schools are not prepared to reopen, and that individual school districts should decide how and when to reopen for themselves using guidance from state and federal health agencies.

McMaster’s call to resume a normal school schedule has been met with pushback from educators and teacher organizations, as it contradicts advice established by the state’s education task force, as well as the Department of Health and Environmental Control.

SC State won’t have fall sports

SC State University won’t have football, or any other fall sports, this year. Thursday, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference postponed all sports for the semester, The State reports. The league left open the possibility to move the season to the spring.

The Ivy League and the Patriot League conferences already decided to postpone fall sports.

“Obviously this is an arduous decision because everyone wants to have a fall season for student-athletes, fans and others,” MEAC Commissioner Dennis Thomas said.

“Part of our responsibility is to ensure the mental and physical health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches, and staff is paramount. It is imperative that everyone recognize that is our first and foremost responsibility,” Thomas said, according to The State.

First dog in SC tests positive

A shepherd mix in Charleston County is the first dog to test positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina, according to the state veterinarian. The 8 or 9-year-old dog had to be put down because it had a chronic health condition, McClatchy News reports.

The dog’s owner tested positive for the virus before a private vet decided to test the pet. Charleston County has been hit particularly hard recently as case numbers spike around the state. DHEC has reported hundreds of cases each day in Charleston.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say pets can get the virus from humans, but the risk of people getting the coronavirus from dogs and cats is low.

What’s the plan for SC schools?

Gov. Henry McMaster called on South Carolina’s schools to reopen for in-person classes after Labor Day. The governor said school districts should give parents a choice between in-person instruction and virtual classes.

“Try as we might, virtual education is not as good for most children than face to face with an excellent qualified teacher,” McMaster said during a press conference Wednesday.

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread in South Carolina, there’s growing concern that opening schools could make the outbreak worse, according to The State.

Teachers pushed back against the plans, The State reports.

The Palmetto State Teachers Association and grassroots teacher organization SC for Ed oppose the plan. The association said reopening with in-person classes “would be irresponsible and dangerous,” according to The State.

The daily coronavirus case counts now are much higher than when the state shut down schools in the spring, the group said. “We believe this action would needlessly jeopardize the health and safety of our state’s 800,000 students and more than 50,000 teachers.”

Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman said the decision on whether to hold in-person classes, or continue distance learning, should be up to individual school districts.

“I want children back face-to-face five days a week as well. Logistically, there are districts who cannot do that and offer good social distancing and safety measures for students and staff,” Spearman said. “I could not support what is a mandate that they all offer five days a week.”

High school sports will start late

The high school sports season will start late this fall. The plan, approved by the South Carolina High School League Executive Committee Wednesday, calls for practices to begin Aug. 17, The State reports.

The first games for high school football teams and other fall sports won’t be until after Sept. 1, but some could be as late as Oct. 2. It’s still not clear how the team schedules will be set for the fall.

The sports plan assumes high schools are in session for either in-person or virtual classes this fall, The State reports.

SCDC to expand testing at prisons

The South Carolina Department of Corrections is increasing coronavirus testing at several of its hardest hit facilities, the department announced Wednesday.

Rounds of testing have already been carried out at the Kirkland and Tyger River correctional institutions, The State reported, and testing is schedule to begin Friday at the MacDougall Correctional Institution — where at least 94 inmates have been infected with COVID-19.

Seven inmates in the SCDC system have died due to COVID-19, over 500 have been infected, in addition to 189 staff. Five of the seven deaths have occurred since the beginning of July.

This story was originally published July 16, 2020 at 7:59 AM.