Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Oct. 27

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

Cases pass 164,000

At least 164,802 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina, and 3,602 have died, according to state health officials.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Tuesday reported 755 new COVID-19 cases, matching Monday’s case count.

Greenville County had the most newly reported cases, with 106 on Tuesday. Richland County followed with 66.

Nineteen coronavirus-related deaths were reported Tuesday.

The percentage of positive COVID-19 tests was 13.1% as of Tuesday. Health officials have said that number should be 5% or lower.

On Tuesday, 746 people in South Carolina were hospitalized with coronavirus-related symptoms, up from 737 the day before.

Myrtle Beach to extend mask mandate

Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune said during Tuesday’s council meeting that she will extend the city’s mask mandate for another month.

The mandate, which was set to expire on Oct. 30, is part of the city’s civil emergency declaration in response to COVID-19. By extending the emergency declaration, Bethune extends the mask mandate.

After another month, Bethune will again decide whether to keep the declaration active, or let it expire.

Bethune’s announcement comes as coronvirus cases are rising in Horry County, The Sun News reported. As of Monday, the county had seen over 11,000 cases since the pandemic began, and 204 deaths.

Ballots can’t be thrown out for mismatched signatures

South Carolina counties have been ordered by a federal judge to stop throwing out absentee ballots with signatures that don’t appear to match signatures on file.

The order, from U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel, states that counties must seek permission from the court if they want to continue using signature matching techniques. Also, if a signature is determined not to match, they must give the voter an opportunity to fix any perceived mismatch.

This doesn’t impact the witness signature requirement for absentee ballots. Currently, all absentee ballots must still be signed by a witness before being submitted.

Gergel’s order comes a day after the state Election Commission gave similar orders, after learning several counties were planning on using the signature matching technique to throw out otherwise correct ballots.

SC schools see 184 new cases

State health officials report there have been 184 new COVID-19 cases in South Carolina K-12 schools since Friday, when the Department of Health and Environmental Control last shared school data.

The total number of cases since the school year began is now 1,956, with 1,364 students cases, and 592 employee cases.

Beaufort County neighborhoods discourage trick-or-treaters

Several Beaufort County neighborhoods are trying to discourage trick-or-treating on Halloween due to COVID-19 concerns.

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.

This story was originally published October 27, 2020 at 6:45 AM.