Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Dec. 7
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Cases surpass 218,000
At least 218,820 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina and 4,249 have died, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Monday reported 2,413 new COVID-19 cases, down from 2,538 reported the day before. Officials have reported over 2,000 new cases for four consecutive days.
Twelve additional coronavirus-related deaths were reported Monday.
As of Monday, 1,025 people in South Carolina were hospitalized for the coronavirus. Last week was the first time in more than three months that COVID-19 patients had occupied more than 1,000 hospital beds statewide.
The percentage of positive tests was 19.4% on Sunday. Health officials have said the number should be closer to 5% to slow spread of the virus.
A.C. Flora football team in quarantine
About 80 A.C. Flora football players and staff are in quarantine after a coach tested positive for COVID-19 over the weekend, The State reported.
The school won its first state football title on Saturday, beating North Myrtle Beach 42-7. A Richland 1 school hadn’t earned a football title since 1970.
North Myrtle Beach is carrying out contact tracing efforts to determine if any of its students or staff may have been exposed.
SC Dems cancel in-person retreat, opt for virtual
An annual in-person retreat for state Democratic legislators is being canceled, and the party is holding a virtual version instead, The State reported.
“We’ve seen a sharp increase in the number of coronavirus cases in South Carolina, and after some deliberation, we’ve decided to have our meeting virtually out of an abundance of caution and to help keep senators and their families safe,” Senate Minority Leader Brad Hutto said.
The move comes as South Carolina health officials report more than 2,000 new COVID-19 cases four days in a row, a total of more than 10,000 cases.
Democrats are going to use the Dec. 16 retreat to plan for the upcoming legislative session beginning in January.
How many vaccine doses will SC receive by end of 2020?
South Carolina is expected to receive between 200,000 to 300,000 doses of coronavirus vaccine before the year’s end, according to the state Department of Health and Environmental Control.
The vaccines are all supposed to be Pfizer brand. Like Moderna’s, the Pfizer vaccine has proven 95% effective in trials.
Both companies are seeking authorization for emergency use of their new vaccines from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and Pfizer’s could be greenlit by the end of the week, The State reported.
Initial shipments to South Carolina are slated to arrive between Dec. 14 and Dec. 16., and Moderna vaccines will be shipping in the week after.
In order to work, the vaccines require two shots to be taken at separate times.
Teacher dies of COVID-19
A third-grade teacher with Lexington County School District One died from COVID-19 complications Saturday, officials said.
Staci A. Blakely, a teacher at Carolina Springs Elementary School, tested positive for the coronavirus on Nov. 11 and was last at the school on Nov. 5.
She worked in education for 28 years, according to officials.
“Mrs. Blakely’s death is a tragedy,” Lexington One Superintendent Greg Little said in a news release. “She was a wonderful, warm teacher who will be missed.”
The district said it followed procedures for contact tracing and notification of close contacts after learning Blakely tested positive for COVID-19. No other COVID-19 cases have been reported among individuals in her classroom, either before or after she became sick, officials said.
“One of the ways we can celebrate her life is being sure that we continue to take care of each other,” Little said.
School district moves online
Orangeburg County schools will move to online-only classes due to the spread of COVID-19 among teachers and staff, district officials said Saturday.
Virtual learning will start Monday and last through winter break.
All athletic practices and competitions were suspended Thursday after four student athletes tested positive, requiring their teams and coaching staffs to quarantine. Employees with extensive close contacts throughout the schools also tested positive Friday and Saturday.
Other schools have also seen an increased number of staff absent in recent weeks.
Lexington-Richland 5 School District voted to move middle and high school students to a hybrid schedule last week after many teachers called in sick, The State reports. In the Lexington 2 district, more than 20 teachers were out multiple days last week, in what appeared to be a protest over coronavirus policies. A “higher than normal” number of teachers were absent at Airport High School and Brookland-Cayce High School.
State senators plan in-person retreats
South Carolina senators are planning to meet in person this month for their annual retreats to plan strategy for the upcoming legislative session.
Republicans are planning to meet at Kiawah Island Dec. 13-15 while Democratic senators are planning a gathering in Sumter County on Dec. 16.
This comes as coronavirus cases are surging.
Leaders of both parties say they are planning to take precautions during the gatherings.
Republican members will be required to wear masks while at the resort. During sessions they will be in a spacious ballroom, and each of the 30 members will have a folding table to themselves to ensure social distancing, Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey told The State.
Democratic leaders with health concerns won’t be required to attend. Members will be required to wear masks and are also scheduled to meet in a large conference room with room for social distancing. The event was shortened to one day.
This story was originally published December 7, 2020 at 6:47 AM.
