Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Sept. 1
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Cases top 118,000
At least 118,116 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina and 2,588 have died, according to state officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Tuesday reported 761 new cases of the virus, up from 651 the day before. Both counts are down from 1,250 on Saturday, which broke a 13-day streak of fewer than 1,000 daily cases reported.
Officials on Tuesday also reported 37 additional coronavirus-related deaths.
About 22.4% of tests reported Tuesday were positive, up from 15.6% Monday and 21.5% the day before. The World Health Organization and state health officials recommend 5% or lower.
School COVID-19 info will soon be available online
The state Department of Health and Environmental Control will start collecting coronavirus data from schools and sharing it with the public soon, and that information will be available online.
DHEC plans to publish a report two times a week tracking which schools have students and staff who have tested positive for coronavirus, and will post them at scdhec.gov/COVID19schools beginning Friday.
New reports will be posted in the afternoon on Tuesdays and Fridays.
USC coronavirus cases double
There are 1,026 active cases of coronavirus at the University of South Carolina, according to the latest figures shared Tuesday. That’s nearly double the number of known cases reported last week.
The percentage of positive tests is increasing as well. Between Friday and Monday, 26% of 2,318 people tested were positive for the virus. The average rate positive since Aug. 1 has been 10%.
“I applaud the large number of tests we have been doing, enabling us to get same day results. It is important to identify all positive cases and take care of them,” USC President Robert Caslen said in a statement. “We will begin to focus our testing where we are seeing increased numbers of positives, mostly identified through our wastewater surveillance. The is science informing us and enabling us to specifically act in places that require intervention.”
Despite the surge in cases, school officials expressed confidence that they can control the coronavirus spread on campus, thanks in large part to saliva testing.
Much faster and easier than traditional nasal swab testing, officials said saliva testing will allow officials to move more quickly, quarantining those who test positive, and tracking down others they may have come into contact with.
Nursing home visits allowed soon. Here’s what to expect
Gov. Henry McMaster announced visits to nursing homes will soon be allowed again, but there’s some guidelines.
First, all visits will be held outdoors, and between nursing home residents and their loved ones only.
Guidelines also include ensuring facilities have adequate PPE, and that they implement testing and screening protocols for staff and residents, and that no one tests positive for coronavirus for two weeks.
If someone does test positive, visitation will be suspended and more testing will be done. Three positive cases mean the facility must stop all visits for at least two weeks.
Facing eviction? There’s free help available
With moratoriums on eviction ending even as the pandemic continues, South Carolina Bar Association and South Carolina Legal Services are encouraging those who need help to call their hotline for free help.
“Many evictions — and the effects they have on our society — can be avoided simply by having an attorney advocate for a tenant in the eviction process,” said Betsy Goodale, director of the South Carolina Bar Pro Bono Program. “A majority of tenants who are represented by counsel in eviction matters have a successful outcome compared to very few when unrepresented.”
Calling 1-833-958-2266 will put residents in touch with a pro bono attorney.
To be eligible for the free assistance, callers must have a household income 200% below the federal poverty level. People who don’t meet that threshold can still be referred to a lawyer who can do a consultation for under $50.
USC suspends students, Greek Life organizations
The University of South Carolina said Monday it has suspended several students and Greek Life organizations for violating COVID-19 rules.
Six fraternities and sororities and 15 students were suspended for “unauthorized parties or large gatherings in violation of local ordinances or violating quarantine,” the school said. It’s the first time the school has publicly said it’s punishing students or organizations for violations.
USC had previously placed several sororities under quarantine.
The suspensions come as the number of coronavirus cases at the university continues to increase following the return of students. More than 550 cases have been reported.
The school is offering walk-in testing to students Monday through Friday. On Monday, the line outside a campus testing site wrapped around the block, The State reported.
Coronavirus complicates surplus
South Carolina lawmakers have nearly $800 million in new money despite the economic toll of the coronavirus pandemic. But there’s debate in the state House over whether to spend the money this year.
Roughly $775 million of the surplus is one-time funds that could cushion reserves or go toward some of the state’s spending needs. But lawmakers are concerned about the impact of the virus.
They have about $86 million in new yearly money to spend, which is down from the roughly $815 million that was projected last year, The State reported.
The uncertainty surrounding the pandemic has divided the state House on whether to adopt a brand new budget or continue operating as it has during the crisis since it’s unclear how the economy will be next year.
Two SC inmates die after testing positive
Two South Carolina prison inmates died last week after testing positive for the coronavirus, The State reported Monday.
Randolph Roy Dogan, 63, died Aug. 27. Larry Lee Lewis, 58, died Aug. 28. Both were inmates at Tyger River Correctional Institution and died at an outside hospital.
A total of 16 South Carolina inmates have died after testing positive for COVID-19.
Tyger River — an all-male, medium-security prison in Enoree — has more inmates who have tested positive than any other state correctional facility. As of Saturday, a total of 421 inmates and 35 staff members had tested positive.
State psychiatric hospital hit with two outbreaks
The Department of Mental Health’s G. Werber Bryan Psychiatric Hospital in Columbia has recorded two coronavirus outbreaks in recent months, The State reported.
The hospital treats people accused of crimes who are deemed unfit to stand trial due to mental health problems, and also people who were found not guilty by reason of insanity.
One patient died when the first outbreak hit in May, The State reported. Dozens more were infected during a second outbreak in July, and at least one patient and a correctional officer died.
Visitors have been barred from the hospital since March 13. But patients lived together with up to three roommates, “communed in common spaces and participated in group treatments,” according to The State. Staff also came and went from the hospital freely.
“That makes it extremely challenging to control a respiratory infection from spreading should it occur in one patient,” the the Department of Mental Health said in a statement.
Staff were also screened early on, but DMH confirmed two nurses in the forensic unit worked while showing symptoms.
Complex promises changes after party broken up near USC
An apartment complex that describes itself as “just steps from the University of South Carolina” said Monday it’s agreed to make changes after the Columbia Fire Department broke up a large pool party on Saturday.
The couple hundred attendees were reportedly not following the city’s mask ordinance or social distancing rules. The fire department received tips about it from residents.
“It was almost like Mardi Gras,” Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins told The State. “I saw a large crowd in the pool, in the area on the side of the pool and on top of the pool house.”
The managers of the complex met with local officials Monday, and Jenkins told The State “they’re going to make sure ... people are adhering to the rules” at the pool and that the complex has promised to have a security person or manager monitor the pool.
Richland County, home to USC, has had the most new reported cases in the state for three consecutive days. On Monday, it reported 182 confirmed cases after reporting a record 396 Sunday. Monday was the fifth consecutive day that more than 100 new cases were reported.
This story was originally published September 1, 2020 at 6:55 AM.
