SC sees 52 more confirmed COVID-19 deaths, nearly 1,600 new cases
South Carolina health officials announced Tuesday that the state had surpassed 1,500 confirmed coronavirus-related deaths.
The state passed that milestone, reaching 1,505 deaths, after confirming 52 more people have died after contracting COVID-19, according to the Department of Health and Environmental Control.
And 1,573 more people tested positive for the coronavirus, the health agency said. That brings the total number of South Carolinians who have tested positive for the virus since March up to 83,720.
Tuesday’s update also offered some new insights into how COVID-19 is impacting hospitals. Newly released data show that more than one-third of the state’s intensive care unit beds statewide are being used by coronavirus patients. State health officials did not hold a briefing with reporters Tuesday.
Which counties were affected?
Four of the people whose deaths were announced Tuesday were under the age of 35. Three were young adults, between the ages of 18 and 34, and one was a child.
The following residents in each county died after contracting COVID-19: Abbeville (2), Anderson (2), Bamberg (1), Barnwell (1), Beaufort (1), Berkeley (2), Calhoun (1), Charleston (9), Cherokee (1), Chesterfield (1), Dorchester (2), Florence (1), Georgetown (1), Greenville (6), Horry (8), Lancaster (1), Lexington (1), Oconee (2), Pickens (1), Spartanburg (6), Sumter (1), Union (1), Williamsburg (1) and York (1).
Charleston County saw the largest increase in coronavirus cases with 184. In the Midlands, 138 more tested positive for the virus in Richland County, and Lexington County saw 69 new positive tests.
Are all cases accounted for?
State health officials estimate that as much as 86% of South Carolinians who contract the coronavirus don’t get tested. As of Tuesday, they estimated that 598,000 people in the state total have likely contracted COVID-19 since March.
On Tuesday, officials identified 18 new probable cases and seven new probable deaths. In all, they are investigating 389 probable cases and 60 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.
How are hospitals being impacted?
South Carolina has seen record number of hospitalized coronavirus patients nearly every day in July.
As of Tuesday, 401 — or 36% — of 1,119 occupied intensive care unit beds are being used by patients with the coronavirus or who are suspected of having it. Of those patients, 256 are on ventilators, according to DHEC.
Only 329 ICU beds are available, DHEC said. Across the state, 77% of ICU beds are in use.
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.
In Orangeburg County, the S.C. National Guard was called to build overflow tents for treating coronavirus patients when necessary. The tents will open in two or three weeks, according to media reports.
How is COVID-19 trending in SC?
South Carolina has seen record daily coronavirus case counts since June. New cases announced in the last four weeks accounted for nearly 50% of all cases since March. Last week, daily case counts ranged from 1,368 to 2,335. The week before, they fell between 2,295 to 1,481.
The percentage of tests that turn up positive — another indicator of the coronavirus’ spread — has been high, hovering around 20% daily for the last 28 days.
On Monday, 18.1% of tests reported were positive, similar to what health officials saw in March and early April, and lower than the proportion of tests coming back positive has been in recent days. 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, 723,260 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 59 confirmed COVID-19 deaths reported Tuesday dated as far back as July 4.
Regardless, the state has seen an increase in deaths starting in late June.
On its deadliest day, around July 20, the coronavirus took the lives of 49 South Carolinians.
This story was originally published July 28, 2020 at 3:34 PM.
