SC surpasses 75,000 confirmed coronavirus cases, state health officials say
South Carolina surpassed 75,000 confirmed coronavirus cases Thursday after Department of Health and Environmental Control officials announced that 1,538 more people tested positive for COVID-19.
In all, 76,315 South Carolinians have been diagnosed with the coronavirus since March.
State Health officials also reported that 49 more people died after testing positive for COVID-19. That brings the statewide death toll up to 1,294.
South Carolina also saw an increase of more than 100 people hospitalized due to COVID-19, setting a new daily record the state.
In addition, the Palmetto State saw about one in five tests performed turn up positive, a trend the state has seen for at least the last 28 days.
DHEC officials did not hold a briefing with reporters Thursday.
Which counties were affected?
Charleston County saw the largest increase in confirmed cases with 172, according to state health officials.
In the Midlands, Richland County saw 137 residents test positive for the virus, and Lexington County saw 69.
Residents from the following counties were reported dead to state health officials after contracting COVID-19: Anderson (3), Bamberg (1), Barnwell (1), Beaufort (2), Berkeley (2), Charleston (4), Chesterfield (1), Darlington (1), Dillon (1), Dorchester (1), Florence (5), Greenville (5), Horry (4), Laurens (1), Lexington (4), Orangeburg (3), Richland (6), Saluda (1), Spartanburg (1), Union (1) and York (1).
Are all cases accounted for?
DHEC officials estimate that 86% of people who contract the coronavirus don’t get tested. As of Thursday, state health officials estimate that 545,107 people have actually contracted COVID-19 since March.
State health officials have 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 Thursday, officials reported five new probable cases and no new probable deaths. In all, state health officials have counted 291 probable cases and 40 probable deaths.
How are hospitals being impacted?
The Palmetto State has seen record numbers of hospitalize coronavirus patients nearly every day in July.
As of Thursday, 1,723 of 7,998 occupied hospital beds in South Carolina were being used by people diagnosed with COVID-19 or who are thought to have it, an increase of more than 100 from Wednesday. That means that 21.5% of occupied beds are being used by coronavirus patients.
Across the state, 64.38% of hospital beds are being used.
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. Officials with the S.C. Emergency Management Division have said the state had not reached that point.
But in Orangeburg County, the S.C. National Guard was called to build overflow tents to hold coronavirus patients.
How is COVID-19 trending in SC?
South Carolina has seen record daily coronavirus case counts since June. New cases announced in the last three weeks accounted for nearly 50% of all cases since March.
Last week, daily case counts ranged from 2,295 to 1,481. The week before, they fell between 934 to 2,239.
DHEC officials also noted 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 20.9% of tests reported Thursday were 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.
In all, 669,445 tests have been completed since March.
Why are case numbers up?
DHEC officials say case counts are surging because more people are leaving their homes as businesses reopen. Fewer people are practicing social distancing and wearing masks, they said.
S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster has gradually reopened businesses since April 20, 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.
How are deaths trending?
Deaths reported to DHEC officials each day are delayed, so each day’s release of death numbers results in cases being added to the state’s daily death counts for previous days. For example, the 49 confirmed COVID-19 deaths reported Thursday dated as far back as May 29.
Regardless, the state has seen an increase in deaths starting in late June.
On its deadliest day, around July 13, the coronavirus took the lives of 38 South Carolinians, a figure that increased Wednesday with the addition of three new deaths for that day.
This story was originally published July 23, 2020 at 2:27 PM.
