Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Oct. 26
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Cases pass 163,000
At least 163,946 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina, and 3,587 have died, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Monday reported 755 new COVID-19 cases, down from 1,281 the day before. Sunday was the highest single-day increase since Sept. 3.
Greenville County had the most newly reported cases, with 139 on Monday. Spartanburg County followed with 68.
Twenty coronavirus-related deaths were reported Monday.
The percentage of positive COVID-19 tests was 12.3% as of Monday. Health officials have said that number should be 5% or lower.
On Monday, 737 people in South Carolina were hospitalized with coronavirus-related symptoms, up from 725 the day before.
Beaufort Co. neighborhoods discourage trick-or-treaters
Several Beaufort County neighborhoods are trying to discourage trick-or-treaters from coming by on Halloween due to COVID-19 concerns.
While gated communities in the county can more easily close off access, these neighborhoods are turning to other strategies.
Newpoint on Lady’s Island, which generally sees 300 to 400 trick-or-treaters each Halloween, voted against allowing non-residents in the neighborhood, and will place signs at the entrance telling would-be visitors to turn away.
“We hate that we had to come to this decision,” homeowners’ association board president Larry White said in a statement. “The tradition of Halloween in Newpoint is very special, lots of fun for our residents as well as the kids.”
The Chinaberry Ridge neighborhood on Hilton Head Island plans to use signs, as well, to keep visitors away.
Throughout the county, apartment complexes and gated communities are also having similar discussions, the Island Packet reported, with some saying they will limit trick-or-treating hours, and others planning to prohibit the activity all together.
Pence to visit SC after outbreak among staff
Vice President Mike Pence will appear at a “Make America Great Again Victory Rally” in Greenville on Tuesday, President Donald Trump’s campaign said in a news release.
The rally is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. at Donaldson Airport.
Pence is expected to appear at the event after a COVID-19 outbreak among members of his staff. At least five people in his office, including chief of staff Marc Short, have reportedly tested positive for the virus in recent days.
Pence and his wife, Karen, tested negative for COVID-19 on Sunday, according to The Associated Press.
Pence has been declared an “essential worker” and will continue on the campaign trail, the White House says.
Supreme Court asked to reverse ruling on COVID-19 relief
The Justice Department is pushing the S.C. Supreme Court to reverse its 5-0 decision that earlier this month prevented Gov. Henry McMaster from spending $32 million in federal coronavirus relief funds on private schools in the state.
Peter McCoy, the U.S. Attorney for South Carolina, wrote in a filing with the Supreme Court that the Justice Department is seeking friend of the court status to ask that it grant a new hearing to reconsider the decision on the relief funds. The filing says the U.S. Department of Education has concluded that it is lawful to spend coronavirus relief funds on private and independent schools.
McMaster’s lawyers have filed a petition with the state high court, asking it to reconsider its ruling and grant a new hearing in the case.
The court ruled Oct. 7 that federal funds sent to South Carolina for coronavirus emergency education relief cannot be spent on the state’s private schools. Chief Justice Donald Beatty wrote in the majority opinion that the state Constitution makes it clear that public money cannot be used toward private schools.
McMaster said in July he was designating $32 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds to pay one-time tuition grants of up to $6,500 per student for about 5,000 private school K-12 students.
Anti-mask movement grows in Beaufort County
A movement opposing mask mandates is putting pressure on local leaders in Beaufort County and questioning health officials.
The small group of face mask opponents has participated in public comment, spammed local government meeting live streams and protested bi-weekly, The Island Packet reports.
Some local leaders tell The Island Packet they’ve been bombarded with thousands of calls and emails in support and in opposition of mask mandates.
Masks help slow the spread of COVID-19, health experts say. In Beaufort County, mask mandates have coincided with a slowed transmission of COVID-19 in every ZIP code that implemented one.
“With our children’s safety and education at stake, wearing a mask isn’t a burden or intrusion,” wrote DHEC’s top epidemiologist in an op-ed in The State newspaper this month. “It’s a duty.”
This story was originally published October 26, 2020 at 6:58 AM.
