Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Oct. 19
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Cases near 158,000
At least 157,970 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina, and 3,439 have died, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Monday reported 539 new COVID-19 cases, down from 722 the day before.
Eleven coronavirus-related deaths were reported Monday.
The percentage of positive COVID-19 tests was 11.3% as of Monday. Health officials have said that number should be 5% or lower.
On Monday, 697 patients in state hospitals had COVID-19, including 182 in intensive care and 92 on ventilators.
McMaster announced $65 million for small businesses
During a visit to Rock Hill on Monday, Gov. Henry McMaster discussed a $65 million aid package offering relief to South Carolina small businesses and nonprofits hurt by the pandemic.
Of the $65 million total, $40 million is set aside for small businesses, and the remaining $25 million for nonprofits. To receive aid, businesses and nonprofits must apply before Nov. 1.
“This money is out there, but you have to apply to be eligible,” McMaster said. “And it must be done online.”
Click this link for instructions on how to apply.
Crowds flood Five Points, worrying officials
Crowds of young people packed Five Points over the weekend, neglecting social distancing, many unmasked, and Columbia officials are worried and wondering what to do, The State reported.
“This pandemic is far from over,” Mayor Steve Benjamin said Monday. “It’s important for everyone to know the role we have in keeping it under control.”
Hundreds of new coronavirus cases are being reported every day across the state, but that hasn’t stopped some people from flouting guidelines and suggestions intended to save lives.
Statewide restrictions on bars and restaurants were lifted earlier this month, allowing them to operate at full capacity. Social distancing and mask use are now “strongly encouraged” but not enforced, and the city of Columbia cannot go beyond Gov. McMaster’s order.
“There’s not a whole lot we can do,” city councilwoman Tameika Devine said. “I’ve been telling people to contact the governor.”
But even the remaining restriction preventing bars from serving alcohol past 11 p.m. did little to deter crowds from descending on Five Points, most of which were University of South Carolina students.
“We’re not able to enforce our way to getting students to behave,” city councilman Howard Duvall said. “We have to convince them it’s in their best interests to do that.”
Officials break up large party during football game
Officials broke up a party with at least 2,000 people at a Columbia apartment complex during Saturday’s University of South Carolina football game.
Most attendees gathered at the complex, whose website says it’s “designed with students in mind,” were violating social distancing mandates in place to curb the spread of COVID-19 and were not wearing masks, Columbia Fire Department spokesperson Mike DeSumma told The State on Sunday.
When firefighters arrived at the complex after getting a call about a medical emergency, some attendees reportedly threw bottles at first responders.
“There were so many people there that our responders had trouble getting in,” DeSumma told The State. “If we had come out for a fire or an emergency situation it would have been impossible to get in.”
The fire department had to call the party an imminent danger to disperse the crowd, DeSumma said, and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and USC Police Department assisted.
Study: SC has highest rate of COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes
South Carolina ranked highest in a state-by-state comparison of COVID-19 deaths per 100 nursing home residents for a recent one-month period, according to a study from the AARP and other health groups.
The state was also close to the highest in COVID-19 cases per 100 nursing home residents, the study found.
The study included five factors: death rates, case rates, personal protective equipment (PPE), staff infection rates and staffing shortages.
South Carolina had slightly higher than average deficiencies than other states in terms of PPE, nursing home staff infection rates and staffing shortages
“No state has done a good enough job to stem the loss of life” in nursing homes, AARP said in a news release.
This story was originally published October 19, 2020 at 6:55 AM.
