Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Aug. 2
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Reported cases surpass 91,000
At least 91,257 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina and 1,709 have died, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Sunday reported an additional 1,110 cases of the virus.
An additional 27 deaths were reported Sunday, down from 35 reported the day before.
The number of COVID-19 patients in South Carolina hospitals remains high, with about 1,400, state data show. That includes 365 people in intensive care.
Coastal Charleston County had the most new reported cases Sunday — 122 — as Tropical Storm Isaias takes aim at South Carolina.
As of Sunday, 15.2% of coronavirus tests were positive. That percentage has hovered around 20% the last 14 days, reaching a high of 22.6% on July 22.
Coronavirus and Isaias
South Carolina has not issued mandatory evacuations ahead of Tropical Storm Isaias. But if that changes, state leaders say they are making plans to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Kim Stenson, director of the state’s emergency management agency, said officials hope to make sure everyone has personal protective equipment, The State reported.
Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms would be isolated in an evacuation shelter and then moved to a non-congregate shelter.
Millions in unemployment at stake for SC residents
About 150,000 residents in South Carolina currently receiving unemployment insurance will see their maximum weekly payments drop significantly after the $600 per week enhanced federal unemployment benefits expire Saturday.
Congress is still working to restore some of those enhanced benefits, with some Senate Republicans proposing reducing the weekly payments to $200 before “shifting the payments to replace 70% of previous wages within 60 days,” The State reports.
The progressive Century Foundation estimates that kind of reduction would mean South Carolinians receiving $96 million less in unemployment benefits per week and $863.8 million less by the end of September.
South Carolina’s unemployment rate was at 8.7% in June, according to The State.
This story was originally published August 2, 2020 at 9:21 AM.
