Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Sept. 3
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
More than 1,000 new cases reported
At least 119,822 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina and 2,667 have died, according to state officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Thursday reported 1,084 new cases of the virus, up from 601 the day before. This marks the second time in the last two weeks that more than 1,000 new cases were reported in a day.
Although new case counts have been declining, DHEC says the virus is still spreading throughout the state, based on the percentage of positive tests. About 16.5% of tests reported Thursday were positive, down from 19.6% Wednesday. The World Health Organization and state health officials recommend 5% or lower.
Officials on Thursday also reported 12 additional coronavirus-related deaths.
DHEC clarifies CDC data
The state Department of Health and Environmental Control is speaking out against misinformation surrounding recently released data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Regarding the roughly 180,000 coronavirus deaths in the U.S., the CDC noted that for 6% of those fatalities, only COVID-19 was listed at the cause of death.
Some have taken that to mean that the total death toll of the coronavirus pandemic is far less than has been reported — but that isn’t the case, DHEC said Thursday, joining a host of other agencies and experts seeking to clarify the figure.
“The remaining 94 percent of deaths were among people with other underlying or contributing conditions but COVID-19 was still a factor in the deaths,” the agency said in a statement.
Health experts predict Labor Day COVID-19 surge
“If people don’t take the proper precautions, we’re going to see another massive surge after Labor Day,” Clemson bio-statistician Lior Rennert said. “It’s as simple as that.”
Rennert’s words echo those of state epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell, who issued a similar warning in late August. If the effects of Memorial Day and Fourth of July celebrations are any indication, Labor Day may cause a rebound in coronavirus cases.
Michael Sweat, a professor at the Medical University of South Carolina, says the state is trapped in a cycle. There’s a “fatigue factor” that keeps cropping up. People get tired of being vigilant, of social distancing and taking precautions to keep COVID-19 under control, and they become increasingly lax.
“That can add up to another resurgence,” Sweat said. “That’s a concern.”
Cops broke up five USC student gatherings
The “massive” pool party Columbia police broke up last weekend was just one of five gatherings of University of South Carolina students that authorities shut down for violating coronavirus orders, The State reported.
Hundreds attended the pool party at The Apartments at Palmetto Compress. The gathering earned nationwide attention, with Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin telling ABC’s “Good Morning America” he was “furious” when he heard the news.
“Our rules are very clear. ... We can enforce the governor’s executive order on spacing and we also have a mask ordinance.”
Police also responded to a 35-person gathering at the Hub, an off-campus complex for USC students. A get together at a rental property near Five Points was shut down, as was a house party on South Gregg Street. After previously warning tenants of a Heyward Street property, police broke up a party there for the second time.
According to Columbia PD, the USC Police Department was informed that students were involved in all five incidents.
USC halts coronavirus saliva testing
Despite rapidly rising coronavirus case counts among students, University of South Carolina officials have expressed confidence in their ability to contain the virus on campus thanks to on-demand saliva testing — but those efforts have just been put on hold.
Citing a staffing shortage, USC said Thursday it is halting its “game changer” testing strategy.
“It’s simply a question of demand outpacing our ability to staff the lab at this point,” USC spokesman Jeff Stensland told The State.
Stensland said the university aims to resume on-demand saliva testing by Tuesday, but there’s no guaranteed timeline.
School officials were touting the testing program during a town hall held the previous day.
When asked what changed in the time between the Wednesday town hall and the Thursday announcement, Stensland said, “This was not anticipated at that time.”
No plans to close, USC president says
Robert Caslen, president of the University of South Carolina, expressed confidence in his school’s ability to contain the spread of coronavirus on campus, and said there are no plans to close down USC.
“The last thing I want to do is take this university, shut it down and dump the problem on the city of Columbia,” Caslen said. “I prefer to work through this if I can.”
USC recently reported more than 1,000 active cases, mostly among students. There are a little over 35,000 students enrolled at USC this semester, according to the university.
But through the university’s large-scale saliva testing program, Caslen said school officials are able to quickly identify infected students and staff, as well as others they may have come into contact with, and take appropriate action.
Officials also suggested that USC’s aggressive testing strategy is so effective at finding the true number of cases, that it backfires in terms of public perception.
“We’re actually finding the people who are sick,” Provost William Tate said. “If someone tells you they have a low student positive rate, they’re not going out and finding them.”
USC quarantines another Greek house
A 10th house at the University of South Carolina’s Greek Village has been quarantined due to coronavirus cases.
Half of the Greek Village’s facilities, and more than a fifth of the university’s 48 sororities and fraternities, were under quarantine as of Wednesday.
To avoid large gatherings, fraternity rush events are going to be held virtually, USC told The State.
“This was not an easy decision to make,” Interfraternity Council president Brice Talley and recruitment chair Brendon Flannery wrote in a letter to fraternities. “But the health and safety of our members is the main priority and we believe this is a necessary step to ensure we limit exposure of the coronavirus throughout campus and the Columbia community.”
Columbia asked student apartments to close pools
As classes started at the University of South Carolina last month, the city of Columbia sent a letter to a dozen student housing complexes requesting that they , The State reported.
“As students return to our community to continue their education, we must all remain vigilant,” read the letter, dated Aug. 20. “Mayor (Steve) Benjamin and Columbia City Council respectfully request that you join us in our efforts to help prevent high risk situations before they happen.”It’s not clear how many of the 12 complexes heeded the letter.
Palmetto Compress, where the Columbia Fire Department pulled the plug on a 300-person pool party over the weekend, was one of the complexes that was sent a letter.
11 businesses cited by SLED for coronavirus violations
Over the course of the coronavirus pandemic, 11 businesses have been cited by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division for violating statewide rules put in place to slow the virus’ spread.
One of them, Absolem Hookah Lounge in Florence County, was issued a criminal citation in late August.
The other 10 businesses were issued administrative citations for disregarding Gov. Henry McMaster’s executive order, which placed restrictions on the number of people allowed to gather in an area, placement of restaurant seating and the kinds of businesses allowed to be open.
They are as follows:
- LA Sports - Anderson County on March 23
- Uncle Tito’s - Georgetown County on April 17
Nathan’s Sky Bar - Horry County on July 6
- Lavish Lounge - Greenville County on July 10
- Suck, Bang, Blow - Georgetown County on July 23
Bucks Racks and Ribs - Horry County on July 29
Kathy’s Bar and Grill - Lexington County on Aug. 15
Gibson’s Bar - Colleton County on Aug. 22
Ike’s Korner - Spartanburg County on Aug. 28
New Jack City - Dorchester County on Aug. 29
Elementary school closes for COVID-19
Chapin Elementary School in the Midlands has closed for cleaning just days before the start of the fall semester, after learning a university intern tested positive for COVID-19.
Chapin was informed of the diagnosis Tuesday, school district Lexington-Richland 5 said in a statement.
Areas of the school that the intern used are being closed off, cleaned and disinfected, per the district’s “established protocols.”
Prisma Health warns of Labor Day COVID-19 spike
Prisma Health is seeing a decreasing number of coronavirus patients, but officials with the health system worry Labor Day may cause a surge in infections.
“There are plenty of folks who may go to large gatherings, parades, picnics,” putting themselves at risk of catching the virus, or giving it to others if they already have it, Prisma’s Dr. Steve Shelton said Wednesday.
Experts say Memorial Day and the Fourth of July holidays both fueled COVID-19 spikes.
SC approved for $300 extra weekly unemployment
FEMA has approved South Carolina’s request for additional unemployment funding, allowing the state to tack on an extra $300 to weekly unemployment checks, the Department of Employment and Workforce announced.
The additional money will be provided to all who apply and are eligible. Anyone already earning at least $100 of unemployment benefits per week is eligible.
It is unclear when the payments will begin, but it could be two to three weeks or more, The State reported.
Payments are scheduled to stop on Dec. 26, if the FEMA funds aren’t already used up.
SC lotto center shuts down due to coronavirus
The South Carolina Education Lottery Claims Center in Columbia is temporarily closing down after an employee came in contact with someone who , lotto officials saiid. The claims center closed Wednesday and is being cleaned and disinfected.
Prizes from $500 to $100,000 can be claimed by mail, but winners of over $100,000 will have to wait until the center reopens to claim their prize in person.
This story was originally published September 3, 2020 at 7:00 AM.