SC sees 590 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, low positive test rate
South Carolina health officials announced Monday that 590 more people tested positive for the coronavirus, bringing the total number of identified cases in the state up to 123,552.
Department of Health and Environmental Control officials also reported 19 additional deaths. In all, 2,767 South Carolinians have died after contracting COVID-19.
State health officials also reported a lower rate of tests that had positive results than the state has seen recently at 11.2%. The percentage of positive tests is an indicator of the virus’ spread in a community, and 11.2% is considerably lower than what the state saw in June and July, when that positive rate was around 20%.
Both DHEC and other health experts have predicted that the Palmetto State will see a spike in coronavirus cases after Labor Day and as students return to school. COVID-19 symptoms can take up to two weeks to appear in someone who is infected, but it is also possible for someone with the virus to not have any symptoms at all.
That surge in cases could mirror what the state saw after Memorial Day, when South Carolina went from about 100 to 300 cases per day to more than 1,000.
Since early August, the state has seen declining numbers of confirmed coronavirus cases. That may be due in part, though, to fewer people seeking out COVID-19 tests.
Which counties were affected?
Greenville County reported the largest increase in confirmed cases Monday with 62.
In the Midlands, Richland County reported 46 new cases, and Lexington County reported 27.
Residents of the following counties died after contracting COVID-19: Anderson (3), Bamberg (1), Beaufort (1), Charleston (1), Dorchester (1), Georgetown (1), Greenville (3), Greenwood (1), Horry (1), Lexington (2), Orangeburg (1), Richland (1), Sumter (1) and York (1).
Are all cases accounted for?
State health officials estimate that around 86% of South Carolinians who contract the virus don’t get tested.
DHEC also reports probable cases and probable deaths. A probable case is someone who has not received a lab test result but has virus symptoms or a positive antibody test. A probable death is someone who has not gotten a lab test but whose death certificate lists COVID-19 as a cause of death or a contributing factor.
On Monday, state health officials reported 19 new probable cases and one new probable death. That brings the total number of probable cases up to 2,055 and total probable deaths to 140.
How is COVID-19 trending in SC?
The number of daily new cases reported in South Carolina hit a high of 2,343 on July 18. For 19 days in August, the state saw fewer than 1,000 cases each day.
However, the overall drop in case numbers can also be attributed in part to labs performing fewer tests, DHEC officials have said. In order to account for that possibility, officials have highlighted the importance of percentage of tests run that come back positive.
Monday, 11.2% of tests reported in South Carolina turned up positive. Nationally, about 9.1% of tests turn up positive, according to the CDC.
In all, 1,075,129 tests have been completed in South Carolina since March.
Recently, though, cases have fluctuated as college students have returned to campus. On four of the last nine days, DHEC officials have reported more than 1,000 cases.
State health officials have said that the virus’ progression has been slowing significantly in areas with face mask requirements and where residents are practicing social distancing.
How are hospitals being impacted?
As of Monday, the state reported 787 patients in South Carolina hospitals have coronavirus, including 208 patients in intensive care and 129 patients on ventilators.
In all, 77% of in-patient beds are occupied in S.C. hospitals.
This story was originally published September 7, 2020 at 12:08 PM.
