Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Sept. 14
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Cases top 130,000
At least 130,256 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina, and 2,922 have died, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Monday reported 525 new cases of the virus, up from 515 the day before.
Seven deaths were also reported Monday.
The DHEC on Monday reported a positive test rate of 9.8%, up slightly from 9.4% the day before. Health officials have said that number should ideally be 5% or lower.
Greenville County had the most new cases at 81, counting probable cases. Richland County came in behind with 61, followed by Lexington County at 33.
Anti-mask protesters to rally at capitol
United Patriots Alliance, a group opposed to mask mandates and COVID-19 closures, will gather at the State House on Tuesday morning as legislators convene to discuss spending federal coronavirus funding and voting safety measures.
The group will meet at 10 a.m. on the south steps to protest orders put in place by Gov. Henry McMaster during the pandemic, such as rules regarding how restaurants are allowed to operate and several others.
“The people of SC have been living under multiple and unconstitutional Emergency Executive Orders issued by the Governor since March of 2020,” a statement from the group read. “Millions of lives of South Carolinians have been negatively impacted and now is the time for the SC Legislature to act by declaring that the Governor’s orders must end immediately.”
SC Lt. Gov. positive for COVID-19
Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette is in quarantine after testing positive for the coronavirus, The State reported.
Evette, 53, first began feeling symptoms last Thursday and received test results over the weekend confirming she is infected. Evette began quarantining at home when her symptoms, a headache and sore throat, first started.
Gov. Henry McMaster and his wife, Peggy, have since been tested as well, both testing negative.
“I’m fortunate to have had only mild symptoms and I’m already feeling much better,” Evette said in a statement. “As careful as I’ve been, this really does show how easily the virus is spread. Please continue to be diligent in keeping yourselves and your loved ones safe. If you’re showing any symptoms at all, the best thing to do is to get tested right away!”
Free school meals to continue in Beaufort County
Children in Beaufort County will continue getting free school meals.
The Beaufort County School District has been delivering the meals since schools closed at the start of the pandemic in March. It will continue after federal funding was extended.
The meals will go to children 18 and younger regardless of whether they’re enrolled in a district school or if they have a meal card.
Delivery routes can be found on www.beaufortschools.net by clicking “Community” and “COVID-19 Updates,” The Island Packet reported Sunday. Parents can also pick up meals Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Battery Creek High School, Beaufort High School, Hilton Head Island High School and Bluffton Middle School.
Bus driver tests positive
A COMET bus driver tested positive for the coronavirus Saturday and is quarantining, according to the Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority.
Officials say the driver had multiple routes in Columbia last week before the test came back — including routes 77 and 6 Monday and Soda Cap 1 route Tuesday. The driver last worked Wednesday, driving the 1302 Tripper USC route for the University of South Carolina.
Passengers on those routes had a “minimal” chance of being exposed to the virus because of the safety protocols in place, COMET Executive Director and CEO John Andoh said, according to The State. But anyone who took the routes is encouraged to be tested for COVID-19.
Judge considers expanding voter access
A federal judge is considering expanding voter access in South Carolina for the Nov. 3 election after a hearing on how the pandemic may affect voting.
U.S. District Judge Michelle Childs on Friday heard from lawyers representing interests from the Democratic Party and lawyers representing the S.C. State Election Commission, the S.C. Republican Party, State Senate President Harvey Peeler and State House Speaker Jay Lucas, The State reported Sunday.
Bruce Spiva, the Democratic Party lawyer, argued that COVID-19 concerns should allow any South Carolina voter to vote absentee. The S.C. House of Representatives will meet Tuesday to consider passing a bill to do so.
Childs said she would wait to hear what the House does before issuing any orders.
“I have lots of work to do,” she said at the end of the hearing in a courtroom at the federal courthouse in downtown Columbia. “I understand the urgency of the case.”
Beaufort County residents could lose power
Dominion Energy’s statewide moratorium on power disconnections ends Monday.
As of late July, there were roughly 54,000 Dominion Energy customers in Beaufort County, The Island Packet reported Sunday.
Gov. Henry McMaster in March urged utility companies in South Carolina to temporarily halt power disconnections for nonpayment due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the S.C. Public Service Commission later directed them to follow his request. But the requirement ended in May. The Palmetto Electric Cooperative has resumed disconnections.
Paul Fischer, a spokesperson for Dominion Energy, said in a statement that the company has expanded its payment options, giving residents more flexibility to pay their bills.
“It had to happen eventually,” Chrystie Turner, vice president of community impact at the United Way of the Lowcountry, told The Island Packet. “Unfortunately, the shoe dropped right with the opening of the school year.”
This story was originally published September 14, 2020 at 6:44 AM.
