Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Nov. 19

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

Cases surpass 189,000

At least 189,251 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina and 3,924 have died, according to state health officials.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Thursday reported 1,410 new COVID-19 cases, up from 1,226 the day before.

Seventeen coronavirus-related deaths were reported Thursday.

The percentage of positive tests was 14.5% as of Thursday. It’s been more than three weeks since DHEC has reported a rate of positive tests under 10%. Health officials have said the number should be closer to 5% to slow spread of the virus.

As of Thursday, 815 patients were hospitalized with coronavirus-related symptoms.

SC schools to receive rapid COVID-19 tests

Gov. Henry McMaster announced Thursday that school districts across South Carolina will soon be receiving rapid coronavirus testing kits, allowing for students and staff to be tested more regularly, The State reported.

The move is part of McMaster’s larger goal of seeing all schools reopened.

Abbot Rapid COVID-19 test kits, which can return results in 15 minutes, will be distributed to districts based on student population. The aim is to have them available by the week after Thanksgiving.

Tests would be used when someone is displaying symptoms of the coronavirus. Students would only be tested with parents’ permission, and school employees must give consent to be tested.

McMaster: ‘Get tested before turkey’

McMaster called on South Carolinians to get tested for the coronavirus before gathering with friends and family for Thanksgiving, The State reported.

“Get tested before turkey,” McMaster said Thursday. “Any South Carolinian who wanted to get tested can get tested in South Carolina and get the results back before Thanksgiving Day, which is next Thursday.”

Hours before McMaster’s plea, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention asked Americans not to travel for the holiday.

Coronavirus activity is surging across the U.S. and health experts worry traveling and gathering in large groups could severely worsen nationwide trends.

Columbia company to produce vaccine injectors

Columbia pharmaceutical company The Ritedose Corporation will be joining the effort to manufacture millions of disposable injectors needed for the eventual COVID-19 vaccine, The State reported.

Ritedose will act as a subcontractor for Connecticut-based ApiJect Systems America, which is receiving a $590 million loan from the federal government to mass produce injection devices. The company plans to use the loan to construct a large production facility in the Raleigh area.

“Once underway, this work will involve a significant expansion of our Columbia operations and capabilities, which we will support with an increase in our South Carolina workforce,” Ritedose CEO Jody Chastain said in a statement.

Carnival won’t resume Charleston cruises any time soon

Carnival Cruise Line won’t be setting sail out of Charleston for at least another four months, the company announced Wednesday.

This marks the seventh time the cruise line has reevaluated its schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The State reported.

Carnival said the same about six other ports, including Baltimore, Jacksonville, Long Beach, Mobile, New Orleans and San Diego.

The company is “building a gradual, phased-in approach to resume guest operations” that will eventually be implemented first at Cape Canaveral and Miami.

Schools see 267 new COVID-19 cases

Health officials reported 267 new coronavirus cases in South Carolina K-12 schools since Friday, the last time figures were released.

There have been 3,271 total cases since the start of the school year, according to the Department of Health and Environmental Control. Students account for 2,287 cases, and employees make up 984.

SC prepares for vaccine distribution

Drug companies Pfizer and Moderna are expected to receive federal approval for their COVID-19 vaccines soon, and South Carolina officials are preparing for distribution, The State reported.

Pfizer expects to produce enough vaccine for 12.5 million Americans by the end of the year, and Moderna estimates it can make enough for 20 million in the same period.

But there are challenges officials are readying the state for, including storage.

Both vaccines need to be stored at cold temperatures, using equipment most vaccine administrators don’t have. Even in ideal conditions, neither vaccine can be stored for more than a few weeks before becoming unusable.

Another challenge is deciding who gets the first available doses. The state Department of Health and Environmental Control is still finalizing its distribution plan, but health care workers will be first in line.

Health officials say vaccines likely won’t be available to the general public for several more months.

This story was originally published November 19, 2020 at 6:51 AM.