As COVID-19 surges in South Carolina, death toll climbs sharply in July, data show
Nearly half of South Carolina’s COVID-19 deaths have happened in July, data show.
The fifth month of the pandemic was by far the state’s deadliest, seeing almost as many COVID-19 fatalities as the four preceding months combined, according to figures from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
As of July 25, there were at least 1,412 deaths statewide due to coronavirus, and 689 were reported in July. The other 723 deaths span March, April, May, and June.
The three deadliest days were July 19-21, when 43, 44, and 46 South Carolinians lost their lives, respectively, data show.
July’s death surge coincides with rising rates of infection and increasing hospitalizations.
“Deaths from COVID-19 occur an average of at least two weeks following diagnoses. As the highest numbers of case counts occurred in June and the first half of July, the recent increases in deaths follow that timeline,” a DHEC official told The State.
Almost 50% of all 82,000 confirmed coronavirus cases were reported in the last four weeks, according to The State. Health officials and Gov. Henry McMaster blame a lack of social distancing and people not wearing masks for the climbing case counts, though McMaster maintains he will not support any statewide mask mandate.
Hospitalization figures are less clear, as the state has changed the way it reports those figures at the request of the federal government. But record highs seen this month, and statements from hospital officials shed some light.
The number of patients hospitalized at Prisma Health for COVID-19 doubled in one month, the statewide health care system announced last week.
Roper St. Francis, and Conway Medical Center both halted elective surgeries after the number of infected inpatients started to soar, The State reported.
Regional Medical Center in Orangeburg called on the National Guard for help constructing outside medical tents to house potential overflow patients, according to the Island Packet.
On Monday, DHEC officials announced 82,071 South Carolinians have tested positive for coronavirus since March, and 1,452 have died.