Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Dec. 8
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Cases surpass 220,000
At least 220,961 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina and 4,253 have died, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Tuesday reported 2,115 new COVID-19 cases, down from 2,413 reported the day before. Officials have reported over 2,000 new cases for five consecutive days.
Four additional coronavirus-related deaths were reported Tuesday.
As of Tuesday, 1,179 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 18.9% on Tuesday. Health officials have said the number should be closer to 5% to slow spread of the virus.
SC COVID-19 test manufacturer plans expansion
Charleston County company Vikor Scientific LLC plans to invest $1 million to expand its COVID-19 test manufacturing capabilities to meet nationwide demand.
The biotech company said 148 new jobs will be created by the expansion, which is expected to be completed in January.
“The prior back order of testing supplies was crippling for the U.S. during the beginning of the pandemic, and no one wants to experience that again,” Vikor Scientific co-founder Shea Harrelson said. “This expansion will help us to continue to stay ahead and increase the production of our testing kits ... which is vital as we enter the sick season.”
Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg applauded Vikor Scientific’s manufacturing efforts, saying in a statement that the company has “proven critical to keeping our citizens healthy and safe.”
School switches to virtual learning after triggering COVID precaution
Wood Elementary School students in West Columbia will be learning remotely for the rest of the year after triggering a COVID-19 safety precaution established by the school district, The State reported.
More than 10% of Woods Elementary students have tested positive for the coronavirus, or have been quarantined as a result of it. Under those circumstances, students must learn remotely for a period of 10 days, which will begin Wednesday.
With winter break beginning Dec. 21, Woods students won’t see the inside of a classroom until January.
State champion football team in quarantine
About 80 A.C. Flora High School football players and staff are in quarantine after a coach tested positive for COVID-19 over the weekend, The State reported.
The school, which is part of Richland County School District 1, 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, The State reported.
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 from Pfizer. Like Moderna’s vaccine, the Pfizer vaccine reportedly had a 95% efficacy rate in early trials.
Both companies are seeking authorization for emergency use of their new vaccines from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and Pfizer could get the green light 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.
The vaccines require two shots to be taken at separate times.
This story was originally published December 8, 2020 at 6:52 AM.