Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Oct. 13
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Cases near 153,000
At least 152,963 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina, and 3,371 have died, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Tuesday reported 629 new COVID-19 cases. That’s up from 584 the day before. It’s been more than a month since the state reported more than 1,000 new cases in a day.
Fourteen coronavirus-related deaths were reported Tuesday.
The percentage of positive COVID-19 tests on Monday was 10.2%, up from 9.1% the day before. Health officials have said that number should be 5% or lower.
As of Tuesday, 745 patients in South Carolina hospitals had COVID-19, including 201 in intensive care and 90 on ventilators.
$33 million for school protective equipment
State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman announced Tuesday that the Department of Education will spend $33 million on protective equipment and items for South Carolina schools.
The funds are part of a coronavirus relief package authorized by the state Legislature.
“With the 2020-21 school year well underway, it is critical that teachers and schools have the supplies needed to ensure face-to-face instruction can continue to be carried out as safely as possible,” Spearman said.
Here’s what that money will buy:
597,585 reusable cloth face masks
2,681,950 disposable face masks
87,010 face shields
108,476 boxes of gloves (100 gloves each)
41,474 gallons of hand sanitizer.
Over 100 new K-12 cases for second week
There have been 136 new cases of coronavirus among students and staff at South Carolina K-12 schools since Friday, the last time the state Department of Health and Environmental Control shared school data.
More than 100 new cases were reported last week, and 136 marks the highest increase in a reporting period this school year.
Of the 1,277 confirmed cases since classes resumed, students account for 906 and employees make up 371.
Prepping for Halloween during a pandemic
South Carolina is preparing for a different kind of 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, 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.
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 state data by the Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette.
Data from DHEC 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.
This story was originally published October 13, 2020 at 6:47 AM.
