Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Nov. 12

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

Over 1,200 new cases reported

At least 179,832 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina, and 3,817 have died, according to state health officials.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Thursday reported 1,243 new COVID-19 cases, up from 987 reported the day before. Officials have reported 1,000 cases or more four times in the last week, putting the seven-day moving average past 1,200 cases, the highest since August.

Eight coronavirus-related deaths were reported Thursday.

The percentage of positive COVID-19 tests was 14.4% as of Thursday. Health officials have said that number should be 5% or lower.

As of Thursday, 810 patients were hospitalized with coronavirus-related symptoms in South Carolina.

Hilton Head’s Shelter Cove cancels Christmas display

Shelter Cove Towne Centre is traditionally wrapped in thousands of bright lights around Christmas time, but the Hilton Head shopping mall’s annual display is canceled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We did not feel it was professionally responsible to encourage large gatherings at this time,” Shelter Cove spokesperson Roni Allbritton told The Island Packet. “We do hope people will continue to shop our stores and restaurants.”

Allbritton said several individual stores have planned holiday events independently:

• Dec. 8: The Women’s Association of Hilton Head’s “Shop Local and Dine About,” from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
• Dec. 11 through Dec. 13: Towne Centre will hold a Holiday Sidewalk Sale
• Dec. 13: Light up the Lowcountry Public Menorah lighting at 5 p.m.
• Dec. 28: Red Cross Blood Drive from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Columbia to crack down harder on mask violations

Columbia strengthened its mask ordinance earlier this month, upping fines to $100, and requiring masks be worn in all public places -- and now, those enforcing the mask rule say they will be less lenient going forward.

“For a while, we weren’t issuing any tickets. But, we are doing it now,” Columbia Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins said.

Firefighters have served as the enforcement arm for Columbia’s mask ordinance, and they’ve preferred to give verbal warnings to violators instead of citations. But the odds of getting off with just a warning are growing slimmer, Jenkins said. “The grace period is over.”

Mayor Steve Benjamin told The State, the “goal has never been to write tickets,” but with tougher enforcement and heftier fines, he hopes to see greater compliance.

Most SC businesses won’t see unemployment tax increase

With the state still struggling to recover economically from the COVID-19 pandemic, most South Carolina businesses will not see unemployment insurance tax rates grow next year, officials said Thursday.

“Even though we have gone through a terrific pandemic, we will not be raising taxes on businesses with unemployment insurance,” Gov. Henry McMaster said, although 13% of businesses will still see their tax rate increase for reasons not caused by the coronavirus.

Earlier this year, officials warned the state fund that pays unemployment benefits was at risk of being emptied as layoffs surged, and that the government might have to step in and assist.

According to Dan Ellzey, head of the state Department of Employment and Workforce, the agency has paid over 700,000 unemployment claims since March.

DHEC faces difficulty finding new director

Challenges posed by COVID-19 may be scaring away candidates from South Carolina’s top health job, The State reported.

Since director Rick Toomey stepped away six months ago, the state Department of Health and Environmental Control has been focused on finding someone to fill the role — needed now more than ever.

Though DHEC is interviewing five candidates, there have been fewer applicants than the last time the job was open, concerning some officials.

State Sen. Dick Harpootlian, a Democrat, said DHEC needs to hurry up and make a hire, but recently suggested the agency may also be scaring away good applicants.

“I am concerned and afraid that this position has now gotten the reputation for being nothing more than a political appointment,’’ he said. “With this COVID crisis, this is the worst possible situation to be in.’’

Officials had previously said a new director would be hired by November, but DHEC says it will take until at least December before a choice is made.

The ongoing pandemic has made qualified health experts more valuable, and the department is facing competition from other states, and even President-elect Joe Biden’s administration, seeking such experts.

Parris Island recruits included in COVID-19 study

More than 1,800 Marine Corps recruits bound for the Parris Island training installation also participated in a medical study earlier this year, shedding light on COVID-19 and asymptomatic carriers, the Island Packet reported.

Research was conducted over four weeks from May through June. Recruits were asked to quarantine at home for two weeks, and then quarantined again for two weeks at The Citadel, before moving on to Parris Island.

Upon arriving at The Citadel, 0.9% of the recruits tested positive for the coronavirus. Several days later that number more than doubled to 2%, and most were asymptomatic. Only five recruits displayed any symptoms, and they were mild.

The peer-reviewed findings, published Wednesday by the New England Journal of Medicine, highlights the importance of testing for COVID-19, researchers said. Screening for symptoms and risk factors likely won’t identify someone who is sick and not showing symptoms.

Researchers said they hope their findings can not only help the military continue to operate safely, but that schools and universities also learn from the study and plan accordingly.

Myrtle Beach’s road to job recovery

With its economy so dependent on tourism, Horry County was hit particularly hard by the pandemic, but experts with the University of South Carolina are optimistic the community will recover — but it may take time.

“We’re very bullish on Myrtle Beach when looking at the long run,” said Joey Von Nessen, USC professor and lead researcher on a new study. “After we see a vaccine developed and the pandemic is largely behind us, South Carolina and Myrtle Beach in particular offer enormous competitive advantages ... namely beach access and low cost of living.”

Horry County hit a 22% unemployment rate in April, the study found, worse than any other county in the state.

The study makes it clear the community must diversify its economy and workforce, or it will continue to be vulnerable to disasters, be they hurricanes or pandemics, said Karen Riordan, head of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.

SC budget down additional $50 million

The coronavirus pandemic has shrunk the state budget by an additional $50 million, state officials say, but the situation might not be as bad as it sounds.

Revenue projections are far below pre-pandemic levels, but lawmakers will have about $1.2 billion to spend when they return to work in January, The State reported.

The general fund revenue forecast is $9.45 billion for the fiscal year that starts July 1, compared to $10.25 billion projected before the pandemic.

Seventy percent of South Carolina jobs lost due to the coronavirus have been recovered, according to the state Board of Economic Advisors. But that rapid recovery is expected to slow significantly going forward, and officials say employment won’t return to pre-pandemic levels until February 2022.

This story was originally published November 12, 2020 at 7:05 AM.