More than 1,600 additional South Carolinians test positive for COVID-19
South Carolina health officials announced Wednesday that 1,666 more people tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of Palmetto State residents diagnosed with the virus since March up to 85,423.
Department of Health and Environmental Control officials also reported that 48 more South Carolinians died after contracting the coronavirus.
In all, 1,551 people in the state have died after testing positive for the virus.
Which counties were affected?
Charleston County saw the largest increase in cases with 214. In the Midlands, Richland County saw 154 test positive for the virus, and Lexington County saw 113.
Charleston County also saw the most reported deaths with 10. The following counties saw residents die after contracting COVID-19: Aiken (1), Bamberg (1), Beaufort (3), Charleston (10), Cherokee (2), Chester (1), Darlington (1), Dorchester (1), Florence (1), Greenville (4), Horry (6), Jasper (2), Kershaw (1), Laurens (1), Lexington (4), Orangeburg (2), Richland (1), Sumter (2), Williamsburg (1) and York (1).
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 Wednesday, they estimated that 610,164 people in the state total have likely contracted COVID-19 since March.
DHEC officials have also begun investigating what they are calling probable cases and 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.
On Wednesday, health officials reported they had identified five new probable cases and four new probable deaths. In all, DHEC officials are investigating 423 probable cases and 64 probable deaths.
How are hospitals being impacted?
South Carolina has seen record number of hospitalized coronavirus patients nearly every day in July.
As of Wednesday, 404 of 1,152 occupied intensive care unit beds are being used by patients with the coronavirus or who are suspected of having it. That means about 35% of all of the ICU beds across the state are occupied by coronavirus patients.
Of the patients in the ICU, 242 are on ventilators.
Only 299 ICU beds are available, DHEC said. Across the state, 79% 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 Wednesday, 19.9% of tests reported were positive, higher than what health officials saw in March and early April. 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, 734,149 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 48 confirmed COVID-19 deaths reported Wednesday dated as far back as July 10.
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 50 South Carolinians.
This story was originally published July 29, 2020 at 2:19 PM.
