Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Dec. 17

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

Cases surpass 243,000

At least 243,583 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina and 4,484 have died, according to state health officials.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Thursday reported 2,023 new COVID-19 cases, down from 2,424 cases reported the day before.

Thirty-nine additional deaths were reported Thursday.

As of Thursday, 1,524 people in South Carolina were hospitalized with the coronavirus.

The percentage of positive tests was 24.2% on Thursday, up from 20.6% the day before. Health officials have said the number should be closer to 5% to slow the spread of the virus.

SC teacher vacancies grew 26% during pandemic

A new report shows the number of teacher vacancies in South Carolina increased by 26% compared to last year, aligning with concerns educators and officials have expressed that the coronavirus pandemic is worsening the state’s teacher shortage.

In 2019, school districts had 555 teacher and service position vacancies. This year, that number was 699, according to the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention and Advancement’s annual report.

Following the reports’ release, the state Department of Education called on legislators to take action to help schools recruit and keep educators.

“The pandemic has intensified the teacher crisis in our state as evidenced by the report released today,” state Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman said in the statement. “Now is the time for state and local leaders to come together for current and future educators by supporting financial incentives, policies, and programs that will help ensure we have a strong, high quality teacher workforce serving our students for years to come.”

Some legislators aim to limit vaccine requirements

Two bills have been filed at the state house, one in the House and one in the Senate, aimed at preventing rules requiring people to get vaccinated against COVID-19, The State reported.

Republican Rep. Stewart Jones filed the House bill, which if passed, would stop state officials from accepting federal funding for the purpose of enforcing a vaccine mandate put forth by Congress, the president, or any federal agency.

“The point of this bill is to protect the liberties of the people of South Carolina and to give them freedom to make their own decisions,” Jones told The State.

In the Senate, Republican Sen. Tom Corbin filed a bill that would bar employers from taking action against employees who don’t get vaccinated. Also, the bill would prevent the state Department of Health and Environmental Control from requiring individuals who refuse the vaccine to quarantine or isolate.

DHEC has said it won’t be requiring anyone to take the vaccine.

SC lawmakers want to prevent any national mask mandate

Should a federal mask mandate ever be passed, some South Carolina lawmakers want to make sure the state can’t enforce it.

A bill filed recently by Republican S.C. Reps. Mike Burns, Bill Chumley and Stewart Jones would prevent state employees, departments and officials from enforcing a nationwide mask mandate in South Carolina — and any attempt to do so would be met with a $2,000 fine.

Chumley said the bill wouldn’t get in the way of enforcing local ordinances, The State reported.

“We just feel like it’s a matter of personal preference, and people who want to wear a mask should be able to without penalty,” Chumley said. “By the same token, people who don’t want to should be able to opt out without penalty.”

SC congressman tests positive for coronavirus

South Carolina U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson has tested positive for the coronavirus, his office announced Wednesday.

The 73-year-old Republican feels “fine,” and isn’t displaying any symptoms, according to the statement from his office.

“I will be taking all necessary precautions, as directed by the House Physician, including quarantining through the Christmas holiday,” Wilson said in a statement.

Wilson was at the Electoral College meeting Monday in Columbia, where he posed for pictures without a mask, The State reported.

Senate Democrats call on McMaster to mandate masks statewide

In the midst of an ongoing COVID-19 surge, state Senate Democrats are calling on Gov. Henry McMaster to implement a 60-day statewide mask mandate to reduce the spread of coronavirus, The State reported.

If McMaster doesn’t heed those calls, Democratic lawmakers said they would take up the issue again when the legislature returns in January.

“Nearly 5,000 of our own are dead,” the 16-member Senate Democratic Caucus wrote in a joint release. “We cannot continue to sit back and allow this to happen.”

McMaster has repeatedly called on South Carolinians to wear masks in public, but he has said it is the responsibility of local governments to enforce such mandates as they see fit —not the state.

“The governor appreciates the ideas and perspectives of the Senate Democratic Caucus as well as the Senate Republican Caucus,” said Brian Symmes, McMaster’s spokesman. “His position on mask mandates, closing businesses and shutting the state down is clear, reasonable and has placed South Carolina’s economy in a better position than virtually any other state in the nation.”

Democrats say it isn’t enough.

“The powers granted to the Governor during this time of emergency allow him to mandate this,” their statement read. “He can, without a doubt, spare vulnerable lives if he chooses to exercise this power.”

Richland County sheriff tests positive for COVID

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott has tested positive for COVID-19 and is in quarantine, the sheriff’s department announced Wednesday.

Lott was first tested on Friday after coming in close contact with a family member who later learned they were infected, The State reported. Lott’s first test came back negative, but a second test performed Wednesday.

“Out of an abundance of caution, Sheriff Lott was tested again today, Wednesday, Dec. 16. The results came back positive for COVID-19,” a department spokesperson said.

Lott has been in quarantine since Dec. 9 as a precaution.

“I feel fine,” Lott told The State. “No symptoms. Getting a lot of paperwork for the end of the year caught up.”

Family sues SC nursing home for relatives’ death

Eartha Wells never left her room at the Loris Rehab and Nursing Center in Horry County, but she still contracted COVID-19 and died — and now her family has filed a lawsuit, blaming the center for her death.

More specifically, the suit blames facility staff for “failing to institute proper infection control measures through the facility,” Bradley H. Banyas, a lawyer on the case, told The Myrtle Beach Sun News.

“When you got staff members clearly flaunting CDC guidelines, something clearly needs to be done,” Banyas said.

Officials overseeing the facility did not respond to requests for comment.

Thirteen patients have died at Loris Rehab and Nursing Center from COVID-19, according to the state Department of Health and Environmental Control. There have been 57 COVID-19 cases, including 28 among staff.

This story was originally published December 17, 2020 at 7:00 AM.