Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Sept. 29

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

Cases exceed 143,000

At least 143,495 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina, and 3,173 have died, according to state health officials.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Tuesday reported 527 new cases of the virus, up from 526 the day before.

For more than two weeks, the state’s daily COVID-19 cases have remained below 1,000.

Twenty-two deaths were reported Tuesday.

DHEC said 690 patients were in South Carolina hospitals with COVID-19 as of Tuesday, including 176 in intensive care and 88 on ventilators.

On Tuesday, DHEC reported a positive test rate of 13.2%, up from 8.2% the day before. Health officials have said that number should be 5% or lower to slow the spread of the virus.

USC reports record low case count

There are currently 33 active coronavirus cases on campus, according to the University of South Carolina, the lowest number of cases since the school year began.

Coronavirus case counts have been declining consistently in recent weeks, falling from a high of 1,461 reported Sept. 3.

K-12 cases up by 97

Coronavirus cases in South Carolina’s K-12 schools have increased by 97 since Friday, the last time SC Department of Health and Environmental Control shared school COVID-19 data.

There have been 821 confirmed cases in SC schools since the start of the semester, with students accounting for 570, and employees 251.

It isn’t clear how many of that total have recovered, or are active cases.

HBCUs contend with COVID-19, social unrest

Leadership at South Carolina’s historically Black colleges and universities say it has been difficult dealing with COVID-19 and nationwide social unrest all at once, especially since the community they serve is disproportionately impacted by the two issues.

Black people are more likely to die from COVID-19, and account for 35% of the state’s virus fatalities despite making up 27% of the population. At the same time, the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and other Black Americans in encounters with police has taken an emotional toll.

“Under normal circumstances, we would have called assemblies … we would have talked through it, walked through it, unpacked it and helped our kids really sort through their feelings and advocate in an effective way,” said President Roslyn Clark Artis of Columbia’s Benedict College.

“My inability to get my arms around them during the crisis drove me nuts. It was really difficult.”

Anger as Charleston-area beaches limit visitor access

Three Charleston-area beach towns have made moves over the last several months to limit visitor access to their beaches, angering many across South Carolina, who say outsiders have as much right as islanders to enjoy the coastline.

Isle of Palms and Folly Beach instituted parking restrictions, and Sullivan’s Island barred coolers and beach chairs. Those orders were later removed, but Isle of Palms recently voted in favor of a ban on public parking along the landward side of a state-owned road running parallel to the island’s beaches.

City Council members couched the order as a public safety issue, intended to prevent people from crossing the street into oncoming traffic. But some have called that argument into question, including the SC Department of Transportation. The island’s own police chief, Kevin Cornett, told council members there had not been any collisions along the road in question due to unsafe crossing.

The islands “shouldn’t be getting away with this,” said Michael Barnett, who created a petition against Isle of Palm’s parking restrictions . The petition had over 9,000 signatures as of Tuesday.

“There’s a lot of people out there who are from Goose Creek, Summerville, Moncks Corner, the more inland cities. … These families enjoy using these beaches, and they’re from less affluent areas and they were never going to speak up for themselves.”

Lexington-Richland 5 to return to class four days a week

Lexington-Richland 5 students will start attending in-person classes four days a week, beginning with elementary school students in October, Superintendent Christina Melton announced Monday.

Face-to-face classes will be held Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, with virtual classes on Wednesday to allow staff to clean and disinfect classrooms.

Kindergarten through second grade will begin this new schedule Oct. 5. Third through sixth grade follows on Oct. 19. All other grade levels can start coming to school Nov. 9.

Students will still be able to take all classes virtually if they prefer.

Layoffs likely coming for P.F. Chang’s workers

P.F. Chang’s China Bistro could soon lay off or cut hours for 225 workers across its three South Carolina restaurants, in Greenville, Mount Pleasant and Myrtle Beach.

The layoffs were mentioned in the most recent Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification filings, The State reported. Employers are usually required to warn employees of large-scale layoffs or closures 60 days in advance.

Mayor warns COVID-19 is ‘no joke,’ urges mask use

Irmo Mayor Barry Walker is warning that the coronavirus is “no joke” after he and his wife tested positive.

He was diagnosed early this month and said the virus has taken its toll on him. While his wife, who tested positive a week before he did, has recovered, Walker says he is still not 100% better.

“This virus is brutal. It wipes you of energy,” he told The State in an interview Sunday. “I couldn’t move for four or five days. I barely could lift my head.”

Walker was exposed to the virus in his home after his wife tested positive.

He said wearing a mask in public has helped the situation and urged everyone to do so. He said he’s proud Irmo is one of several Midlands municipalities to have a mask mandate.

“Going to a football game, to a bar, or out in public without a mask is not safe. It will put you in the grave,” Walker said. “Wear masks until they come out with a vaccine that works to stay safe. Corona does not discriminate.”

This story was originally published September 29, 2020 at 6:52 AM.