Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on July 25

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

SC surpasses 79,000 confirmed cases, hit new high for deaths

At least 79,674 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina and 1,412 have died, according to state health officials.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Saturday reported 1,368 new confirmed cases of the virus and 74 additional deaths, a new record for the number of deaths announced in one day.

Charleston County had the most new coronavirus cases reported Saturday, with 143. Greenville County had 126 new cases.

In the Midlands, Richland County had 105 people test positive for COVID-19, and Lexington County had 69.

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.

Beaufort hospital hits ICU capacity but is ‘not overwhelmed’

The 12-bed intensive care unit had hit capacity as of Friday morning, said a hospital spokesperson.

Nine people diagnosed with COVID-19 were in the ICU as of Thursday. Four of those patients were on ventilators. The hospital has 34 ventilators in total.

There were 26 patients hospital-wide who had contracted the disease as of Thursday, a spokesperon added. One person was also under investigation for a possible coronavirus infection.

“We are not sending patients to other ICUs unless they need tertiary care, which has always been our protocol. While the ICU has been at or near capacity, they are not overwhelmed,” a spokesperons wrote in a statement Friday.

Tertiary care is highly specialized medical care such as neurosurgery operations.

Are masks laws to slow COVID-19 in Myrtle Beach area working?

When Horry County saw a spike in its new COVID-19 cases, several municipalities passed laws requiring masks to help slow the spread — and it seems to be having an impact.

The number of coronavirus cases reported in the Myrtle Beach area has leveled this week compared with the previous several weeks. It’s an important trend as several Horry County municipalities passed laws ahead of the July Fourth weekend that required masks in retail and professional services shops.

This story was originally published July 25, 2020 at 8:05 AM.