Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Dec. 2

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

Highest number of deaths in over a month

At least 206,653 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina and 4,126 have died, according to state health officials.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Wednesday reported 1,612 new COVID-19 cases, up from 1,297 cases reported Tuesday. State health officials have been reporting more than 1,000 new cases a day for over two weeks.

Thirty-five additional deaths were reported Wednesday, the highest number of deaths reported in a single day since Oct. 31.

As of Wednesday, 911 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in South Carolina, marking a three-month high. Statewide hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients have increased 23% over the past two weeks.

The percentage of positive tests was about 22% as of Wednesday. Health officials have said the number should be closer to 5% to slow spread of the virus.

Greenville County to consider recommending mask use

Greenville County has been leading the state in new coronavirus cases for almost a month, pushing county councilman Ennis Fant to propose a resolution encouraging residents to start wearing masks.

Fant made the proposal during a Tuesday council meeting, but asked to hold off on a vote until January, when new council members begin their terms.

If passed, the resolution wouldn’t go into effect for another month — and would only serve as a suggestion.

The city of Greenville was the first in the state to adopt a mask ordinance to slow the spread of COVID-19, and state data shows the measure has worked. But Greenville County, the largest county in the state, has never passed mask rules of any kind.

100 confirmed cases among Columbia city workers since March

Since the coronavirus pandemic began in March, 100 City of Columbia employees have tested positive for the virus, The State reported.

That’s about 4.3% of the city’s total workforce.

“Those positive cases typically have come from social interactions, not in the workplace,” City Manager Teresa Wilson said at a city council meeting Tuesday. “We appreciate the effort (council) has allowed us to continue down the path in a safe way.”

The rate of infections aligns with figures seen statewide. Over 205,000 South Carolinians have tested positive for COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, roughly 4% of the state’s 5.1 million residents.

K-12 coronavirus cases top 4,200

Since the start of the school year, 4,219 students and staff of K-12 schools in South Carolina have tested positive for COVID-19, according to the state Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Students account for 2,952 cases, and employees make up the other 1,269.

Cases have increased by 322 since last Tuesday.

COVID-19 could cause school staffing shortages, superintendent warns

As coronavirus cases climb in Lexington-Richland 5 schools, the superintendent says the district may be heading toward a staffing shortage.

Fifteen teachers and staff members in middle schools and high schools were in quarantine on Nov. 24, marking a four-week high, The State reported. Thirty-two staff members were out at elementary and intermediate levels.

To prevent a shortage, Superintendent Christina Melton asked the school board to transition students in seventh through 12th grade to a hybrid learning model of two days week of of in-person instruction and three days of online learning. Currently, students attend school in-person four days a week.

The meeting was adjourned with no decision made, and there’s disagreement among board members over what action to take.

Two weeks ago, the school board voted to resume face-to-face classes, five days a week, by Feb. 1.

SC New Year’s event will be virtual

The 10th annual Famously Hot New Year celebration isn’t canceled, but it will be virtual this year, The State reported.

Organizers say famous South Carolinians will be headlining the Columbia event, including Hootie & The Blowfish, A’Ja Wilson and Nikki Haley.

The event will be streamed on the Famously Hot New Year’s Facebook page and Youtube channel.

This story was originally published December 2, 2020 at 6:53 AM.