Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Sept. 17

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

Cases pass 132,000

At least 132,565 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina, and 2,992 have died, according to state health officials.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Thursday reported 740 new cases of the virus, up from 489 the day before.

Twenty-seven deaths were reported Thursday.

The DHEC on Thursday reported a positive test rate of 11.8%, down from 13.5% the day before. Health officials have said that number should be 5% or lower to slow the spread of the virus.

SC jury trials to resume

Jury trials have been on hold for about six months in South Carolina due to the pandemic, but starting Monday, they’ll begin again, Supreme Court Chief Justice Donald Beatty said.

Best practices for safety laid out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be followed, a memo from Beatty read, “in a reasonably safe manner in accordance with established COVID-19 protocol.”

While courts haven’t been as active over the last six months, work never completely stopped, Beatty added.

“Since the beginning of this pandemic, Circuit Court and Family Court judges have held about 11,000 hearings via WebEx. Numerous other hearings have additionally been held in person, via Zoom, teleconference, and other platforms.”

USC men get tested far less than women

Of the students who have been tested for coronavirus at the University of South Carolina, 36% are male, and the other 64% female, according to the university. And that has some school officials concerned.

Officials see testing as one of the best tools they have to control the spread of coronavirus on campus, but that won’t work very well if a large portion of the student body refuses to get tested.

USC spokesman Jeff Stensland said the university isn’t sure what accounts for the disparity.

“Perhaps it’s a misplaced sense of invincibility,” Stensland said. “All students are encouraged to take advantage of testing, and men are just as at risk to contract the virus as women are.”

Top ed official wants in-person classes to resume for K-5

Molly Spearman, state superintendent of education, is recommending that in-person classes resume for students “who need it the most.”

In a letter sent to superintendents across the state, Spearman said face-to-face learning is essential for students in kindergarten through fifth grade, as well as non-native English speakers, students with disabilities, students experiencing homelessness or in foster care, those with limited internet access, or students who are academically delayed.

“While many students and their families have chosen virtual options and are able to successfully navigate this new instructional environment, others are struggling and desperately need a return to face to face learning as quickly as possible,” Spearman wrote in a letter to district superintendents.

Feds to carry out 14-day testing campaign in Columbia

Federal officials aim to bolster coronavirus testing capacity in the Columbia area with a two-week COVID-19 testing campaign.

Starting on Saturday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will open up two testing sites: one at the University of South Carolina baseball stadium, and the other at Martin Luther King Park in Five Points, USC President Robert Caslen announced during a Wednesday town hall.

Federal workers will be able to test up to 5,000 people daily, but Caslen said they’re expecting to conduct closer to 1,500 per day.

Caslen added USC is expanding its coronavirus saliva testing program from 400 tests a day to 800 by the end of the week.

“We want to make sure every student is tested before they go home for Thanksgiving break,” Caslen said.

Absentee voting allowed for all in SC

All registered South Carolina voters can cast an absentee ballot in the November presidential election, thanks to a COVID-19 absentee expansion bill signed into law Wednesday.

It’s a “common sense” measure on the part of legislators, Gov. Henry McMaster said.

“We know more about the virus and what to do than we did before,” McMaster said. “But we still had to take some measures to see to it that we have a safe election.”

This story was originally published September 17, 2020 at 6:49 AM.