Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Dec. 9
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Cases surpass 223,000
At least 223,140 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina and 4,280 have died, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Wednesday reported 2,139 new COVID-19 cases, up from 2,115 reported the day before. Officials have reported over 2,000 new cases for six consecutive days.
Twenty-six additional coronavirus-related deaths were reported Wednesday.
As of Wednesday, 1,217 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 20.5% on Wednesday. Health officials have said the number should be closer to 5% to slow spread of the virus.
Officials consider breaking up DHEC
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control has been under increasing scrutiny amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and one state official wants to break up the agency and restructure it, The State reported.
Senate President Harvey Peeler announced Wednesday he plans on introducing legislation that, if passed, would see DHEC dismantled and its health department joined with other health-related state agencies, into one health department.
Peeler’s explanation is that DHEC, as it exists, has no leadership.
“No one is in control at DHEC and hasn’t been for quite some time,” Peeler wrote in a release, adding that his proposal “will ensure government runs more efficiently and will give each agency clearly defined responsibilities.”
The agency’s acting director, Marshall Taylor, disagreed with Peeler’s assessment.
“Well, I believe that leadership has been in place obviously. I’m there,” Taylor said. “But, you know, the Legislature may have different ideas about how DHEC should be restructured, and that’s certainly in their purview. And whatever the Legislature decides, that’s what we’ll do.”
McMaster continues push for in-person classes
During a press conference Wednesday, Gov. Henry McMaster pushed for South Carolina schools to hold in-person classes five days a week.
“We need to get children back in schools or we’re going to be paying the price for decades,” McMaster said.
McMaster pointed to a new survey conducted by the state, which polled 15 school districts that all offer in-person instruction Monday through Friday, and found that parents overwhelmingly prefer face-to-face classes over virtual-only. The 15 districts accounted for 16% of students enrolled in K-12 across the state.
If schools return to a traditional educational model, parents would be able to get back to work, McMaster also argued.
“Parents should not have to choose between their child and their jobs, but that is what the decision of the schools who have not gone to five-day in-person education are asking them to do,” McMaster said.
COVID surge ‘worst it has been’
Gov. Henry McMaster and state health officials held a news conference Wednesday warning South Carolinians that coronavirus activity is surging in the wake of the Thanksgiving holiday.
“It appears many people have let their guard down,” Gov. Henry McMaster said. “I know we have fatigue from all of the things that we need to do, but now is not the time for us to let up ... Now is the time to redouble our efforts.”
The governor’s remarks come as the state Department of Health and Environmental Control reported the sixth consecutive day of over 2,000 new COVID-19 cases.
“It makes this last week the worst it has been for us since the beginning of this pandemic,” State Epidemiologist Linda Bell said.
Lexington considers bringing back mask mandate
With COVID-19 cases on the rise, the town of Lexington will soon consider adopting a mask ordinance, again.
“Our spike today is higher than our spike in the summertime,” Mayor Steve MacDougall said. He introduced the proposed ordinance on Monday, and the city council will vote next week on whether to approve it.
“It’s time for everyone to go back and do their part to try to get ahead of this thing before it takes over and inundates our medical folks... especially folks at the hospital who are saying, ‘Please, please help us,’” MacDougall said.
Lexington first passed a mask mandate in early July, and extended it in August. It expired in November.
Why some school districts reject COVID-19 testing in schools
Last month, Gov. Henry McMaster announced a rapid COVID-19 testing initiative intended to help schools return to in-person learning more quickly -- but at least 11 districts across the state are saying no to coronavirus testing in schools.
Officials from two of those districts told The State that taking part in the testing initiative would create problems. Personnel are already stretched thin as it is, they said, and adding a testing program doesn’t seem feasible. Parents might feel encouraged to send their sick kids to school so they can get tested. Also, testing creates additional legal liabilities for the districts to deal with.
The 11 school districts opting not to take part in the initiative are:
- Greenville
- Lancaster
- Abbeville
- Calhoun
- Edgefield
- Greenwood 50
- Greenwood 52
- Horry
- Marlboro
- Newberry
- Saluda
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.
This story was originally published December 9, 2020 at 5:38 AM.