Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Nov. 24
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
COVID-19 death toll surpasses 4,000
At least 196,330 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina and 4,010 have died, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Tuesday reported 1,374 new COVID-19 cases — up from 1,095 reported the day before.
Twenty-three coronavirus-related deaths were reported Tuesday.
The percentage of positive tests was 13.2% as of Tuesday. Health officials have said the number should be closer to 5% to slow spread of the virus.
K-12 coronavirus cases near 4,000
Close to 4,000 students, teachers and staff in South Carolina’s K-12 public schools have tested positive for COVID-19 since the start of the school year.
The majority of cases — 2,738 — are among students, The State reported, citing data provided by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
The new data comes as school districts in Lexington and Richland counties opted to revert to online classes this week to minimize the spread of the virus and conduct contact tracing.
Lexington solicitor’s office hit with COVID-19 outbreak
At least four people in the Lexington County solicitor’s office have tested positive for the coronavirus in recent weeks, 11th Circuit Solicitor Rick Hubbard told The State.
Another five who were in close contact with the infected individuals are quarantining, and most employees in the prosecutor’s office are working from home this week.
“We’re trying to stay ahead of it,” Hubbard said. “Fortunately, nobody has been critically ill.”
Doctors call for help to slow spread
Doctors in Greenville, South Carolina, called on residents to wear masks, socially distance themselves and frequently wash their hands over the holiday season to help slow the rising number of coronavirus cases across the state.
Taking those precautions might help stabilize the caseload until a vaccine is readily available, Dr. Wendell James of Prisma Health said Tuesday.
“There is light at the end of the tunnel,” he said in a news conference.
James said hospitals in the Upstate and Midlands are two-thirds full. There were 844 people hospitalized with coronavirus-related symptoms across South Carolina as of Monday.
Library branches close
Three branches of the York County Library and one branch of the Richland County Library were closed Tuesday after employees were exposed to or tested positive for the coronavirus.
In York County, the Fort Mill, York and Clover branches were closed after staff members were exposed, The Rock Hill Herald reported. It wasn’t immediately clear Tuesday if any had tested positive for COVID-19.
The Eastover location in Richland County shut down Tuesday after an employee tested positive, The State reported.
The branch will be closed until Saturday at 9 a.m. and will be properly cleaned and disinfected before then.
Catawba Indian Nation leader dies from COVID-19 complications
Thomas Cornelious “Butch” Sanders, a member of the Catawba Indian Nation’s governing executive committee, died of complications from the coronavirus on Saturday, The Rock Hill Herald reported, citing an obituary published online.
Sanders was 74 years old. A graveside service is scheduled for Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Grandview Memorial Park on Cherry Road in Rock Hill.
“Butch has served our people for many years on the Executive Committee and Housing Board. He loved being able to help others. He always had a smile on his face and was known for being a advocate for the tribe. He was very excited for the Two Kings Casino project and the growth that will bring the Nation,” tribal leaders said in a statement on social media. “This is an unimaginable loss and to say he will be missed is a huge understatement.”
The Catawba are the only federally recognized tribe in the state and are concentrated on a reservation in York County.
Coronavirus ‘hurricane’ headed to SC beaches
Doctors are warning of “Hurricane COVID” in areas frequented by air travelers over the holidays — including the coast of South Carolina.
Hilton Head International Airport is expecting a small drop in travelers, but the Transportation Security Administration is still predicting 1,800 passengers will come through the airport for departures between Nov. 24-30 — down from 2,200 in 2019. The TSA doesn’t track arrivals but said it expects similar trends.
“I do believe some of this is attributed to people wanting to get out and travel, and they want to go to the beach,” said David McMahon, TSA’s federal security director for South Carolina. “Hilton Head Airport in Hilton Head by far is doing the best. … That is a pretty rapidly growing airport that again, it’s right on the beach.”
Myrtle Beach and Charleston are also expecting a lot of travelers, The Myrtle Beach Sun News reported.
At least 9,000 people are expected to depart from Myrtle Beach from Nov. 24-30 compared to 15,000 in 2019, The Myrtle Beach Sun News reported.
Charleston International Airport, Columbia Metropolitan Airport and Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport are all expecting a between 42% and 58% drop in travelers.
Man pulls gun when told to wear mask
Brian Alan Good, 36, of Maiden, North Carolina, was arrested after police said he pulled a gun at a Piggly Wiggly in Myrtle Beach when someone asked him to wear a mask.
Good is charged with third-degree assault and battery, pointing and presenting a firearm and unlawful carrying of a pistol, The Myrtle Beach Sun News reported.
The incident occurred in September. A victim reportedly told police he asked Good and his wife to put on a mask before Good hit him and fled. A cashier also said they saw Good pull a gun on the person and threaten to kill him.
Charleston mayor urges caution
Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg and other city officials urged residents on Monday to use caution as Thanksgiving nears, saying young people have been out without masks.
“We’re in a good spot, so let’s not blow it, y’all,” Tecklenburg said during a news conference.
The city has seen a less than 1% growth rate of reported coronavirus infections over the last week, The State reported. It’s also seen a 76% decrease in total active cases since reaching record highs over the summer.
But Tecklenburg said the city risks losing the ground it’s gained if residents and visitors don’t stay vigilant.
“How do you want to space things out? Can you do it outside? Always wear a mask when you’re closer to other folks. Watch your distance. All those basic things that our health care professionals have been saying all year,” the mayor said.
City officials have issued 200 written warnings and another 98 citations to people who fail to follow the mask ordinance.
Food banks see long lines as holidays near
The Harvest Hope food bank in Columbia has experienced hours-long wait times since the pandemic hit in March, but organizers expect it to get worse during the holidays.
More than 69,000 people in South Carolina have sought help at Harvest Hope’s emergency food pantry since March, said spokesperson Taylor Davids. Harvest Host serves 20 counties in the state, but Davids said that’s an increase of more than 15,000 compared to the same time last year.
The food bank is expecting an additional 500 families a day compared to the 300 families it typically serves the week of Thanksgiving.
“Holidays are our busiest time in a non-pandemic year,” Davids told The State. “The pandemic has added a whole other level of need here in our community.”
This story was originally published November 24, 2020 at 6:47 AM.
