Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on July 19
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Daily cases hit record
At least 69,765 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina and 1,138 have died, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Sunday reported an additional 2,335 cases of the virus — a record.
Sunday’s total was up from the 1,481 cases reported Saturday and surpassed the previous record of 2,239 set on July 11.
Saturday’s case count could be off as DHEC says its “data report contained incomplete laboratory information.”
New cases during the last three weeks have accounted for nearly half of all cases reported since March. This past week, daily cases ranged from 1,520 to 2,241. The week before, they ranged from 1,319 to 1,885.
Health officials predict 15,182 new cases this coming week.
Officials reported 19 new deaths Sunday, down from 39 Saturday — one of the highest numbers reported.
The DHEC didn’t report the number of people in the hospital with COVID-19 on Sunday as it’s changed how it reports on hospitalizations at the request of the federal government.
On Sunday, officials said 18.4% of coronavirus tests came back positive, down from 21% Saturday. That number has been rising over the last 28 days, The State reports, and is an indicator of the spread of the virus. Since July 10, it’s has been more than 20 percent eight times.
Nationally, about 8.7% of tests come back positive.
McMaster refuses mask mandate, pushes for reopening
Gov. Henry McMaster is continuing to push to reopen South Carolina despite surging cases and increased alarm from health experts and local leaders, The State reports Sunday.
The state has become a global hot spot for the coronavirus pandemic.
But the governor has reiterated that he won’t issue a mask requirement for South Carolinians — saying it’s against personal liberties and difficult to enforce — and has said he won’t be shutting any businesses back down. Last week, he urged school districts to to restart full-time, in-person instruction by Labor Day week.
McMaster has faced pushback for this response.
Critics from health experts and hospital officials to religious leaders and local leaders as well as teachers have said “clustering people together” with no concrete plan is unsafe.
They say South Carolina must be much more aggressive in implementing safety measures to curb the spread of the virus, The State reports.
Though McMaster has stopped short of requiring masks, he’s encouraged people to wear them and has donned one at his press conferences.
“Everyone should wear a mask,” McMaster said Wednesday. “But we cannot force people to do what they don’t want to do.”
Monkey facility gets millions in COVID-19 contract
A monkey breeding facility in South Carolina won a $4.6 million coronavirus-related federal contract — one of the largest given in the state.
Alpha Genesis Inc., a primate research company in Beaufort County, received the contract in June from the National Institutes of Health for “maintenance” of pathogen-free Macaque monkey breeding colonies, The Island Packet reported Sunday.
The NIH told a reporter in early July to file a public records request for more information about the contract, including how the monkeys would be used for virus research. The request was pending as of Thursday.
An animal welfare group is questioning the contract as the facility was recently accused of negligence that resulted in the deaths of several monkeys.
“Why do you continue to fund a facility that does such a poor job?” Michael Budkie, executive director of Ohio-based Stop Animal Exploitation NOW!, said. “Why do you reward a company that can’t even keep its animals alive?”
Fishing tradition canceled
The 53rd annual Georgetown Blue Marlin Tournament has been canceled due to COVID-19.
It’s the oldest billfishing tournament in South Carolina and one of the oldest on the East Coast, The Sun News reports. It’s usually held during Memorial Day weekend but was postponed until Aug. 12-15 this year.
But now it’s been canceled.
“We talked about it and it wasn’t an easy decision to make,” Vernie Ogburn, dockmaster of Georgetown Landing Marina, the host venue for the tournament, said. “To carry on with it would be socially irresponsible. To protect our customers, captains and ourselves, we decided to postpone it.”
The tournament is considered a staple event in Georgetown and ran for 52 consecutive years in various locations in the town.
“It’s with great regret we’re doing this,” Ogburn said. “However, we’re looking forward to next year and looking forward to our 53rd tournament then.”
Motorcycle rally in South Carolina
A scaled-down motorcycle rally is taking place in the Myrtle Beach area this weekend.
It’s taking place mostly on the South Strand after being rescheduled from May due to the coronavirus. Crowds appear to be smaller than in other years, The Sun New reports.
Some bars in the area are hosting vendors and festivities.
This story was originally published July 19, 2020 at 10:59 AM.
