Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on July 29

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

Deaths surpass 1,500

At least 85,423 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina and 1,551 have died, according to state health officials.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Wednesday reported an additional 1,666 cases of the virus.

An additional 48 deaths were reported Wednesday, down slightly from the 52 reported Tuesday.

According to the DHEC, 79% of ICU beds across the state are now in use, and COVID-19 patients are filling more than a third of them. On Tuesday, beds were at 77% capacity.

Charleston County had the most new cases reported Wednesday with 214. Richland County had 154, and Lexington County had 113.

Restaurant rules tightened

Wearing face masks and limiting attendance to 50% total capacity have just been suggested guidelines for South Carolina restaurants, but those recommendations are now mandatory by order of Gov. Henry McMaster.

“These limited restrictions are temporary, they are measured, and they are targeted towards what we know works,” McMaster said in a statement. “These measures give South Carolina the best chance to slow the spread of the virus without shutting down the state’s economy – which we cannot and will not do – as many continue to call for.”

McMaster eases restrictions on large venues

Gov. Henry McMaster is allowing movie theaters, concerts, sports stadiums and similar large venues to reopen on Aug. 3, but with some new ground rules.

Such venues must limit attendance to 50% of total capacity, up to a maximum of 250 people, and require attendees to wear masks “as a condition of admission or participation,” The State reported.

Under special circumstances a venue can submit a request to allow more than 250 attendees. The Department of Commerce will consider the request, and the venue has to prove social distancing guidelines can still be followed even with the increased attendance.

The venues impacted by McMaster’s order include, “festivals, parades, concerts, theaters, stadiums, arenas, coliseums, auditoriums, grandstands, amphitheaters, gymnasiums, concert halls, dance, halls, performing arts centers, parks, racetracks, or similarly operated entities.”

SC lawmakers call current testing inadequate

State lawmakers want to raise the bar for coronavirus testing in South Carolina, and pressed health officials Wednesday to set and meet loftier goals.

The state Department of Health and Environmental Control’s current goal is to test 2.8% of the population per month, which is aiming up from its previous target of 2%, but not far enough to satisfy some legislators.

“Two percent is not sufficient,” S.C. Sen. Tom Davis, R-Beaufort, said during a meeting of the Senate’s COVID-19 testing and tracking subcommittee. “If that benchmark isn’t sufficient, you haven’t served the public good.”

Interim DHEC Director Marshall Taylor said the state is facing many of the same barriers as other states, citing short-staffing and a lack of lab infrastructure.

“If we were fifth in the nation in tracing and testing and we were doing great, then I wouldn’t be saying this,” S.C. Sen. Vincent Sheheen, D-Kershaw, said. “I don’t want to hear that, ‘Every other state and us are facing these challenges so we’re not going to be able to do what we’re going to do.’”

Changes to SC state fair

The South Carolina state fair has been changed to a two-day, drive-thru event to prevent the spread of COVID-19, organizers announced Wednesday.

“In the midst of the worst global crisis of our lifetime, we wanted to give the community something positive to look forward to,” S.C. State Fair General Manager Nancy Smith said in a news release. “Our team is proud to offer a free event where families and friends can experience the joy of the State Fair in a safe and fun environment.”

Guests will be permitted to view exhibits in agriculture, history, arts and culture from their car, The State reported.

There will be no amusement park rides, but visitors will be able to drive their vehicles through the fairgrounds to buy food. The fair is scheduled to take place Oct. 20 and 21.

Can SC spend COVID-19 money on private schools?

A judge will hear arguments Wednesday and ultimately decide whether Gov. Henry McMaster can give $32 million in federal COVID-19 funding to private schools in South Carolina for tuition grants.

The funds are part of a larger $48 million pot set aside to support education. A judge temporarily blocked McMaster from allocating the $32 million last week.

The plaintiff who filed suit against McMaster and the Palmetto Promise Institute alleges that giving money from the Emergency Education Relief account to private institutions violates state law.

SC prepares for wave of evictions

As protections for renters are about to expire as the coronavirus pandemic continues, South Carolina could see more evictions in the coming weeks.

Eviction filings have climbed since a statewide moratorium on evictions ended in late May, The State reported. The federal CARES Act continued to offer protection for some tenants, but it is expiring.

“We’re going to see an avalanche of eviction filings start to pour in,” Sue Berkowitz, director of the South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center, told The State. “I think there’s no question that African American and Latinx communities will be disproportionately impacted.”

Masks to be required on school buses

All K-12 students in South Carolina’s public schools will be required to wear masks when riding a school bus once classes resume, The State reported.

Teachers, staff and bus drivers will also have to wear masks, S.C. Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman said in a news release.

Buses should be filled to 67% capacity, as opposed to a max of 50%, which was recommended by the state’s AccleratEd task force, Spearman said. The decision to increase bus capacity was made following conversations between the state Department of Education and the state Department of Health and Environmental Control, health experts, pediatricians and transportation officials.

This story was originally published July 29, 2020 at 8:22 AM.