Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Aug. 27

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

Just over 400 new cases reported

At least 113,107 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina and 2,494 have died, according to state officials.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Thursday reported 424 new reported cases, marking the 12th consecutive day of fewer than 1,000 new cases.

About 8% of tests reported Thursday came back positive, the lowest it has been in two months. The World Health Organization recommends 5% or lower.

The number of daily tests has been falling this month, after consistently reaching 10,000 in mid-July. DHEC reported 5,234 test results Thursday, doubling the low figures from Wednesday.

Officials on Thursday reported 42 additional coronavirus-related deaths, matching the previous day’s tally.

USC Pres: COVID-19 spread becoming ‘unsustainable’

University of South Carolina president Robert Caslen said Thursday that the spread of coronavirus on campus is becoming “unsustainable.”

Between Aug. 20 and 25, 183 cases were confirmed at USC. Then on Wednedsay, another 191 people tested positive.

“Am I concerned? Yes, I am, ” Caslen said at a board of trustees meeting. “Is it acceptable? No. It’s not. I don’t know if you can sustain 191 positives.”

The biggest driver behind the spread has been student behavior off campus, Caslen said, parties and other social gatherings.

“One of the safest places in Columbia is inside one of our classrooms,” Caslen said. “Outside on campus, almost all of our students are wearing masks, they’re doing the right thing.”

New Columbia ordinance targets house parties

The Columbia city council unanimously passed a new ordinance Thursday aimed at stopping house parties and other large indoor gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ordinance, which passed unanimously, amends the city’s zoning code to penalize landlords who don’t ensure laws and executive orders addressing public health are being followed on their properties. College students’ activity since returning for the fall semester is largely what prompted the ordinance.

Violations caught on a given property will earn the landlord 10 “points” and a $1,000 fine. If a landlord accumulates 15 “points,” their rental permit can be taken away.

Richland school closes due to COVID-19 concerns

A Columbia middle school has been closed due to coronavirus concerns Thursday, and is undergoing cleaning after it was discovered an employee had come in close contact with someone who tested positive for the coronavirus.

The Crayton Middle School employee found out they were possibly exposed late Wednesday, a Richland One spokeswoman told The State. The spokeswoman said she isn’t aware of any infections at Crayton.

Advocates plead to stop evictions

A coalition of 17 South Carolina advocacy groups are imploring state leaders to reinstate a moratorium on evictions to prevent what they’re calling an “impending housing crisis.”

Led by SC Appleseed Justice Center, the coalition made their case in a letter sent to Gov. Henry McMaster, Senate president Harvey Peeler Jr., R-Cherokee, and House speaker Jay Lucas, R-Darlington.

“An eviction moratorium is a sensible and measured response that will enable hundreds of thousands of South Carolinians to stay in their homes,” the coalition wrote. “This is a measure that would protect public health, prevent a housing crisis, and hasten our economic recovery.”

Department of Corrections extends visitation pause

The South Carolina Department of Corrections announced its visitation suspension will continue until at least the end of September due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

That means no visitors, volunteers, work-release programs or labor crews are allowed at any state prisons. The suspension has been in place since March 12.

Inmates will still get two free, five-minute phone calls each week.

“All routine transfers between institutions continue to be suspended. Transfers for security and medical reasons will continue as needed. Inmates will attend court and parole hearings virtually,” the department said in a statement.

State applies for extra unemployment aid

After some hesitation, South Carolina has applied for federal funding to provide additional money to unemployed residents.

The state’s workforce agency is seeking to add $300 to weekly unemployment checks. Anyone getting at least $100 per week should be eligible to receive the extra money.

“Our state should be proud of the economic recovery efforts and the progress we have made to date, but we know that some of our citizens are still struggling in the wake of this pandemic,” S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster said in a statement. “We’ve chosen to participate in this program in a way that will provide additional unemployment relief from the federal government while maintaining our strong record of fiscal responsibility and protecting the interests of South Carolinians.”

USC reports more COVID-19 cases

The University of South Carolina has recorded 140 cases of COVID-19 since classes began a week ago, figures from the school’s coronavirus dashboard show.

USC had reported 44 active cases on Aug. 20, but after updating the dashboard on Wednesday, that number stands at 188. Infections are almost exclusively among students.

This story was originally published August 27, 2020 at 6:52 AM.