Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Aug. 4

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

Cases top 93,000

At least 93,604 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina, and 1,774 have died, according to state health officials.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Tuesday reported an additional 1,168 cases of the virus. An additional 52 deaths were also reported, up from 11the day before.

The number of COVID-19 patients in South Carolina hospitals remains high, at 1,458, state data show. That includes 355 people in intensive care, 254 of whom are on ventilators.

As of Tuesday, 18.3% of coronavirus tests were positive. That percentage has hovered around 20% the last 28 days, reaching a high of 22.6% on July 22. Nationally, about 8.7% of tests come back positive.

Dem. voters ask judge to widen absentee voting

A group of democratic voters are asking a federal judge to force the South Carolina Election Commission to widen absentee voting rules, and allow all voters to cast their ballots absentee for the November election.

Citing concerns over coronavirus and the safety of in-person voting, the group made the request to U.S. District Judge Michelle Childs as part of lawsuit against the election commission.

Currently, only a few categories of people are permitted to absentee vote, such as voters who are jailed, are disabled, or away on vacation. The injunction request brought to Childs would allow all registered South Carolina voters to do so.

In May, Childs made the election commission get rid of a requirement that absentee voters needed to fill out there ballot in front of an independent witness.

SC can’t guarantee full-time nurses for schools

State Superintendent Molly Spearman says there’s no guarantee all South Carolina schools will have a full-time nurse on staff when they reopen for the new school year, despite recommendations they do so.

The recommendation came earlier from AcceleratEd, the state task force charged with planning South Carolina’s school reopenings, doing so with the safety of students and staff in mind.

Spearman said the decision to hire a nurse is typically made locally, requiring local dollars. According to The State, a nurse costs about $60,000 on average.

Columbia extends face mask mandate

The Columbia City Council unanimously voted Tuesday to extend a face mask ordinance requiring people to wear a cover over their nose and mouth when in public spaces.

The ordinance first passed in June and comes with a $25 fine for those who violate it.

With the extension, Columbia’s face masks rules will remain in effect for another two months. They can be renewed again.

WV governor blames Myrtle Beach for COVID-19 spread

West Virginia governor Jim Justice warned residents against visiting the South, and Myrtle Beach in particular, during a Monday press conference.

Justice, a Republican, has spoken out about Myrtle Beach before. But in light of new outbreaks in his state’s southern counties, he renewed calls to avoid South Carolina’s famous coastline.

“If you’ve listened to our health experts, a significant, if not the majority of this, is driven by Myrtle Beach,” he said.

He said the state is seriously considering mandatory quarantine orders for residents returning from trips to the South.

This story was originally published August 4, 2020 at 9:18 AM.