Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on July 24

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

SC surpasses 78,000 confirmed cases

At least 78,298 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina and 1,339 have died, according to state health officials.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Friday reported 1,921 new confirmed cases of the virus and 46 additional deaths.

Charleston County had the most new coronavirus cases reported Friday, with 219. In the Midlands, Richland County reported 154, and Lexington County reported 123.

SC pediatricians: School reopening message was politicized

The South Carolina chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics is saying its earlier statements on school reopening have been politicized, and it now is trying to clarify its stance, The State reported.

Earlier this month, the group put out an open letter encouraging districts to do whatever they can to ensure children can return to school. Resuming traditional schooling is a goal to work toward, the group says in a new statement, but that doesn’t mean districts should have children come to in-person classes even if it’s potentially unsafe.

“Science should drive decision-making on safely reopening schools,” the statement said. “Public health agencies must make recommendations based on evidence, not politics.”

McMaster ousts Governor’s School board members

On the heels of Gov. Henry McMaster’s urging South Carolina schools to resume in-person classes five days a week, the board of the Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics voted in favor of virtual classes in the fall. Now those members have just been replaced, The State reports.

McMaster selected nine new members on Monday, replacing six whose terms had expired, and filling three vacancies. Members with expired terms learned about the turnover Wednesday.

Former board member Art Tompkins spoke with The State and wouldn’t speculate on McMaster’s motives, but pointed out the timing. The board had voted in favor of virtual classes, for a second time, just days before McMaster brought in the new appointees.

Prisma Health’s hospitalizations doubled in a month

Prisma Health has 300 inpatients with coronavirus, the health care system announced Thursday, more than double the 143 COVID-19 hospitalizations it had on June 23, The State reported.

“We continue to have bed capacity as well as adequate medical supplies and personal protective equipment needed to care for our patients and team members,” Dr. Scott Sasser, incident commander for Prisma’s COVID-19 response, said in an email.

Preparing for the worst, Sasser said Prisma is going to head off potential staff shortages by bringing back furloughed nurses, training nurses to handle different duties, and hire traveling nurses. More doctors have also recently been hired, Sasser said.

Michelin backs officials calling for COVID-19 safety

Michelin North America, one of the largest manufacturing companies in South Carolina, is calling on people to follow COVID-19 safety guidelines to control the virus’ spread, The State reported.

Flanked by state health officials at a Thursday press conference in Greenville, Michelin North America president and chair Alexis Garcin urged South Carolinians to wear masks, social distance, and avoid large crowds.

“A second shutdown would have a dramatic effect on our economy, not to mention the lives of our friends, family (and) neighbors,” Garcin said.

Michelin employs more than 8,000 people statewide, according to the company.

DHEC holds bilingual briefing for Latinos

To better reach South Carolina’s Hispanic and Latino population, the Department of Health and Environmental Control held a bilingual video briefing on COVID-19, providing need-to-know information and answering questions from community members, with help from a Spanish-speaking translator, the Island Packet reported.

Though they represent 6% of the state’s total population, Hispanics and Latinos account for 11% of total coronavirus cases.

USC: students must get tested before move-in

The University of South Carolina will require students to show proof they’ve been tested for the coronavirus before they’re allowed to move into on-campus housing, The State reported.

Students must submit one of the following to the university’s My Health Space portal before arriving on campus:

▪ Proof of prior COVID-19 infection;

▪ Proof of presence of COVID-19 antibodies;

▪ Proof of negative COVID-19 test results taken within 10 days of scheduled move in.

Anyone who doesn’t submit the proper documentation will have to quarantine in non-university housing, at their own expense, until test results are made available.

Clemson to start semester with online classes

Though Clemson University has said for months it would resume in-person classes in the fall, the school changed its stance Wednesday, announcing that the first few weeks will be held remotely, The State reported.

“The safety of our Clemson community is paramount,” University president Jim Clements said on Twitter. “As a result, we will start the semester online and delay in-person classes by 4 weeks due to the progression of COVID-19 in South Carolina and the Upstate region.”

In-person classes are now scheduled to start Sept. 21, and a new student move-in date has been set for Sept. 13.

This story was originally published July 24, 2020 at 7:44 AM.