Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Oct. 12
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Cases top 152,000
At least 152,233 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina, and 3,355 have died, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Monday reported 584 new COVID-19 cases, down from 716 the day before. It’s been more than a month since the state reported more than 1,000 new cases in a day.
Seven coronavirus-related deaths were reported Monday.
The percentage of positive COVID-19 tests on Sunday was 9.1%, down from 10.3% the day before. Health officials have said that number should be 5% or lower.
As of Monday, 684 patients in South Carolina hospitals had COVID-19, including 177 in intensive care and 87 on ventilators.
Residents, officials prep for Halloween during a pandemic
South Carolina is preparing for a different Halloween in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
Columbia city officials have not taken a stance on whether trick-or-treating should be allowed in individual neighborhoods, but they have put an end to all of the city’s traditional Halloween community events, The State reported.
“We want to be safe during this pandemic, and I think the safest way to (celebrate) Halloween this year would be on a smaller scale and family-oriented activities,” said Randy Davis, the city’s parks and recreation director.
The mayor of nearby Irmo has urged residents not to trick or treat but stopped short of banning it. The town is offering a free drive-in showing of “Night at the Museum” instead.
The town of Hampton, meanwhile, voted last week to disallow trick-or-treating altogether.
Some in Columbia are finding creative alternatives. Waverly resident Lanier Lebby-Alston told The State she plans to clip candy to a clothesline for trick-or-treaters on Halloween.
In Elmwood Park, where the streets are usually shut down for Halloween, neighborhood leaders haven’t decided whether to cancel the affair. But some residents have already decided they won’t participate.
“We thought about this really, really hard,” said Cathy Brookshire, who usually runs a fortune-telling booth at her house in Elmwood Park. “I just finally thought, you know, it’s one Halloween.”
Data show how effective mask mandates were in slowing spread
Mask mandates in most Beaufort County ZIP codes slowed the spread of the coronavirus within five weeks of being enacted, according to an analysis of S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control data by the Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette.
Data show case numbers began to drop off in Beaufort County in early August after a surge in July.
Opponents of the mask ordinances have argued they infringe on residents’ civil liberties, but state health officials said the mandates were key in controlling the spread of COVID-19.
Dr. Faith Polkey, the chief clinical officer at Beaufort Jasper Hampton Comprehensive Health Services, told the Island Packet she’s seen the number of infections decrease since July.
“I think it is definitely attributable to mask wearing and ordinances,” she said.
Horry County school plans could change
Horry County Schools’ reopening plan could change as coronavirus cases increase in the area.
If the district follows its current plan, all students would be learning remotely by Oct. 19. The plan relies on the monitoring of local coronavirus data to determine when students can attend in-person classes.
For the first month of school, Horry County has been classified as having medium spread, which has meant a hybrid schedule with in-person learning twice a week. But a recent S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control report shows the county with high spread, which would require remote learning.
Horry County added 122 coronavirus cases Saturday as the area experienced a rise in positive cases, continuing a spike over the past couple days. It reported another 88 cases Sunday.
Sunday’s numbers bring total COVID-19 cases in the county to 10,572 and total deaths from the virus to 189, and this week’s daily numbers are far outpacing last week’s. The county has reported 440 new cases in the past five days alone. Last week, the weekly total was below 200 for the first time in four months.
The school district announced it will wait for the DHEC report Oct. 15 before making a decision.
This comes as K-12 schools in South Carolina as of Friday had reported 99 coronavirus cases since last Tuesday, when cases were last reported.
As of Friday, at least 808 students and 333 employees have tested positive for the virus since the start of the school year.
Harrison, Graham debate held separately
Plans for the debate between Republican U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Democratic challenger Jaime Harrison scheduled for Friday were changed after a dispute over coronavirus testing.
Graham declined to take a test ahead of the debate, and Harrison refused to debate on stage with him, The State reported.
Instead, the candidates answered questions separately in “two extended interviews,” which focused some on the pandemic.
“We have to take this thing seriously. The president of the United States has been out of pocket because he has the coronavirus,” Harrison said, noting Graham accused him of wanting “special treatment” by insisting the senator take a COVID-19 test. “Nobody is asking for special treatment. What we’re asking is for our senior senator to take this seriously.”
The candidates differed on whether there should be a national mask mandate.
“We don’t have walls on the borders of our states,” Harrison said. “My in-laws live in Utah, I live here in South Carolina. It is easy for us to get on a plane and fly there, but if I’m taking the coronavirus with me, not only am I impacting the people in that plane, but I’m also impacting the people in the location that I’m going (to), and then those people impact other folks.”
Graham questioned how a mandate could be enforced.
“Does the FBI follow us all around?” Graham asked. “I believe in responsibility. So the idea of wearing a mask, count me in. In terms of the national mandate, I don’t know how that works. But if you’re looking for my advice. Wear a mask, wash your hands.”
They also discussed whether children should be required to have a coronavirus vaccine when one is available, with Harrison saying he would have to look at it and Graham saying it should be up to elected leaders in the state.
This story was originally published October 12, 2020 at 6:49 AM.
