Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Sept. 23

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

Cases pass 138,000

At least 138,171 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina, and 3,085 have died, according to state health officials.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Wednesday reported 613 new cases of the virus, down from 739 the day before.

Twenty-five deaths were reported Wednesday.

The health department is adding roughly 15,000 backlogged coronavirus test results to its totals, which were reported Monday by Augusta University Healthcare in Georgia. The tests span from March to September, and about 2,000 of the tests performed came back positive.

The DHEC on Wednesday reported a positive test rate of 11%, bringing the seven-day average to 11.1%, the lowest rate since early June. Health officials have said that number should be 5% or lower to slow the spread of the virus.

Nearly $700 million for unemployment fund, small business

State legislators reached an agreement Wednesday on how to allocate the remaining CARES Act funding -- $693 million -- and it will be divided up among the unemployment insurance trust fund, minority-owned businesses and small businesses, and nonprofit organizations.

“It’s not everything that the House wants, but it’s a fair resolution,” said state Rep. Murrell Smith, a Sumter Republican and the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. “This is very important to the citizens of the state of South Carolina. And to our local governments and our state agencies that they have the ability to apply for these remaining dollars.”

The bulk of the funds, $420 million, is going to the unemployment insurance trust fund. That fund covered benefits for many South Carolinians who were laid off or furloughed during the pandemic.

Another $25 million is being set aside for nonprofits. Those that didn’t receive other federal money, such as Paycheck Protection Program funds, are the highest priority.

Small businesses and minority-owned businesses will get $40 million, to provide grants of up to $25,000.

Another $115 million will support state agencies, local governments, colleges and universities.

And finally, $73 million will go to the Department of Health and Environmental Control and $20 million to the Medical University of South Carolina to pay for COVID-19 testing and monitoring.

USC officials: Sick students aren’t getting tested

Active coronavirus cases at the University of South Carolina have been falling rapidly in recent weeks, as has the percentage of positive tests, but officials worry there are sick students who aren’t getting tested.

There are fewer tests being done. Between last Friday and Monday this week, the university tested 651 students, compared with 1,128 last Tuesday through Thursday.

“Our cases are coming down, but I think you also probably noticed we’re doing less testing,” USC spokesman Larry Thomas said. “I think one thing to point out on this issue is we have plenty of availability. What we’re seeing is we don’t have the demand as much as we did at one point.”

Thomas said he does believe overall trends in USC’s data can be trusted and coronavirus activity is on the decline. But there are likely infected students going untested and uncounted.

One reason for this may be that students think testing capacity is limited, Thomas said. The university struggled with providing enough tests to meet demand earlier this month, and students think the issue persists.

Thomas pointed to “test fatigue” as another possible contributor. Also, many students with mild symptoms may be staying at home or in their dorms until they recover, he said.

Parents of special-needs students call for in-person classes

Online learning during the pandemic has been especially difficult for special education students, and many South Carolina parents are calling for an in-person classes option, The State reported.

“There are a lot of students being left behind,” said David Taylor, who has a 15-year-old daughter with special needs. “We’re not trying to make a case for reopening classes” for everyone.

“There has to be some accommodation. There has to be some way to socially distance,” former school teacher Janie Neeley said. Her 4-year-old son with Down syndrome has been struggling, and so has Neeley. “It should be phased in. Special needs students should be able to go back first.”

State Superintendent Molly Spearman sent a letter out to districts earlier this month, imploring them to resume face-to-face classes for special education students and many others who stand to lose the most by missing out on in-person instruction. But that letter was a request, not a demand.

SC officials appeal federal absentee ballot decision

A federal judge’s decision to allow South Carolina voters to submit absentee ballots without witness signatures is being challenged by the state Election Commission and Republican officials.

It is uncertain whether the appeal could ultimately overturn U.S. Judge Michelle Childs’ ruling, but officials are encouraging voters to get a witness signature on their ballot just in case.

If Childs’ decision is eventually struck down, thousands of votes could be invalidated if they lack a witness signature.

“We know what the law is today, but that could change tomorrow. ... Our advice is to go ahead and get the witness,” Election Commission spokesman Chris Whitmire said.

90 more cases in K-12 schools

Coronavirus cases increased by 90 in South Carolina K-12 schools since the state Department of Health and Environmental Control last shared figures Friday.

There have been 622 cases in total — 423 student and 199 employee cases.

Most schools have reported no confirmed cases. Of those that have, most had five or fewer infections.

This story was originally published September 23, 2020 at 7:00 AM.