Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Dec. 28
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Hospitalizations break record high
At least 275,285 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina since March and 4,782 have died, according to state health officials.
The state Department of Health and Environmental Control on Monday reported 1,540 new COVID-19 cases, down from a record high of 4,370 reported the day before, which marked the first time reported daily cases surpassed 4,000 since the start of the pandemic. The Sunday figured included cases from Dec. 24 and Dec. 25, which at least in part explains the sharp increase.
Eighteen deaths were reported Monday.
As of Monday, a record 1,867 people in South Carolina were hospitalized with the coronavirus.
The percentage of positive tests was 28.5% on Monday. Health officials have said the number should be closer to 5% to slow the spread of the virus.
USC men’s basketball practicing again after lengthy delay
The University of South Carolina men’s basketball team has missed five straight games due to positive coronavirus tests among players and staff, but after multiple delays, the team began practicing again over the weekend.
“We’re trying to figure this out; it’s a day-by-day process,” head coach Frank Martin said Monday on the SEC coaches’ weekly teleconference. “Everyone got back in on the 26th, and we tested Sunday morning. We were able to get back on the court. As we continue to test and reacclimate ... the plan is to play that game on Jan. 2. How many guys we will have is up in the air right now, but that’s the plan.”
The team aims to play its next scheduled home game Saturday against Florida A&M, according to Martin.
Saturday is the last non-conference game currently on the Gamecocks schedule.
Columbia’s virtual New Year’s Eve celebration won’t be ‘second rate’
Organizers of Columbia’s Famously Hot New Year’s Celebration say that despite the event being held virtually, it will be a memorable night of revelry and entertainment.
“What we are going to see is not some second-rate celebration,” event co-founder and board chairman Sam Johnson said. “We’re going to see a first-class production that features great talent, locally and nationally. … I’m very proud of what we’ve been able to put together this year.”
Famously Hot will be streamed online and broadcast from WLTX starting at 10:30 p.m. Thursday.
Acts include hit hip-hop group Arrested Development, Sister Hazel, Reggie Sullivan, Capital City Playboys, and more. Hootie & the Blowfish are also scheduled to perform.
There won’t be a live fireworks show this year, but instead, highlights from previous Famously Hot celebrations will be broadcast.
While Johnson reiterated it was the right decision not to host an in-person celebration, particularly in light of rising COVID-19 activity statewide, Columbia will feel an economic impact.
“We know that Famously Hot New Year brings thousands of people, sometimes tens of thousands of people, to Main Street,” said Matt Kennell, CEO of the Main Street District property owners’ advocacy group City Center Partnership. “We know that many of them visit restaurants and bars downtown and in The Vista. Certainly for branding the Main Street District and branding Columbia, it’s awesome. It’s one of those events that you can’t hardly put a value on.”
Despite the financial hit, Kennell said he agrees with the decision organizers made.
“You have to err on the side of safety when it comes to public crowds,” Kennell told The State. “(The typical FHNY) is not a controlled environment, like it is in a restaurant where protocols are in place.”
USC women’s basketball game postponed
The University of South Carolina women’s basketball team season opener has been postponed due to COVID-19 issues at Ole Miss, the SEC announced Sunday.
The season opener was scheduled for New Year’s Eve. The SEC did not indicate if or when it will be rescheduled.
“The Ole Miss at South Carolina women’s basketball game of December 31 has been postponed due to a combination of positive tests, contact tracing and subsequent quarantining of individuals within the Ole Miss women’s basketball program, consistent with Southeastern Conference COVID-19 management requirements,” the statement from the SEC says.
The USC men’s basketball team previously had its season opener against Kentucky postponed.
Few agree to symptom checks by SC monitors
As of Dec. 7, only 32% of people reached by South Carolina COVID-19 contact monitors since February have agreed to participate in “ongoing” symptom monitoring during their quarantine periods, The Island Packet reported Sunday.
Contact monitors alert people who have been exposed to COVID-19 and advise them on quarantining.
DHEC contact monitors have been able to reach 111,910 people statewide since Feb. 1, but only 35,821 agreed to enroll in ongoing symptom monitoring. It’s unclear how many have refused to speak with monitors altogether or how many were unreachable.
The DHEC downplayed the significance of the low percentage in a statement to The Island Packet.
“Declining to participate in ongoing symptom monitoring does not necessarily mean that someone has refused to speak with a contact monitor when called,” Laura Renwick, a spokesperson, wrote in the statement. “A number of individuals, when contacted, do agree to answer initial questions and receive quarantine guidance from contact monitors, but may decline ongoing monitoring for various reasons.”
This story was originally published December 28, 2020 at 6:56 AM.
