Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Jan. 18
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Cases surpass 354,000
At least 354,895 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina since March, and 5,662 have died, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Monday reported 2,946 new COVID-19 cases, down from 4,584 reported the day before.
Eight additional deaths were reported Monday.
As of Monday, 23% of COVID-19 tests were positive. Health officials have said that number should be closer to 5% to control the spread of the virus.
At least 2,342 were hospitalized with the coronavirus as of Monday.
Vaccine supply not sufficient, health official says
South Carolina’s allotment of COVID-19 vaccines is “not sufficient” to meet its increasing demand, DHEC’s interim public health director, Dr. Brannon Traxler, said during a news conference Monday.
The news conference came days after the state expanded vaccine eligibility to seniors at least 70 years old.
Hospitals were hoping to be able to ramp up vaccinations but were informed last week that they are only set to get 20-25% of the doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine they requested for this week.
Now, providers are having to push back vaccination appointments because they don’t have enough doses.
Beaufort Memorial Hospital says it must cancel more than 6,000 vaccination appointments through March 30, according to a Friday night press release. The hospital placed an order for 2,000 does of the Pfizer vaccine to be delivered early this week, but was notified Friday it will receive just 450 doses.
Hilton Head Hospital and Coastal Carolina Hospital on Monday said they had canceled about 300 appointments for people wanting a COVID vaccine.
Appointments scheduled for before noon Wednesday will be rescheduled.
Both Horry County hospitals offering the COVID-19 shot to seniors have said more people want the vaccine than they have doses to give.
“At this moment, the only limiting factor is the availability of vaccine from the government. Like all South Carolina hospitals, we have been told to expect less vaccine — not more — in the coming weeks,” a Saturday press release from Tidelands Health read.
York County inmate tests positive
At inmate at York County jail has tested positive for COVID-19, officials with the Sheriff’s Office said Monday.
It’s unclear how the person, who has been in the jail for eight months, contracted the virus while in custody awaiting trial, officials say.
A second inmate has shown symptoms but has not tested positive.
“With all of the precautions we’ve had in place since the beginning of the pandemic, it is unclear how this person who has been with us for so long became infected with the virus,” Sheriff Kevin Tolson said. “My priority as sheriff is the safety and well being of everyone in the community, which includes our inmate population under my care.”
Beaufort County class moves to remote learning
A class at Whale Branch Elementary School has moved to remote learning after 17 members of the elementary and middle school began quarantining.
They are quarantining “as a result of a COVID-19 case outside of the school buildings,” district spokesperson Candace Bruder told The Island Packet. They were considered close contacts of someone who tested positive for the virus.
Seven other students are learning remotely “out of an abundance of caution.” The class will be in person again on Jan. 25.
The quarantine comes as the district has reported its 600th case of the virus since Sept. 28, a 245-case increase over the 11 days since students returned for full-time, in-person classes after winter break.
Hundreds get COVID-19 vaccine at state fairgrounds
Hundreds of people received the COVID-19 vaccine at an unpublicized mass vaccination clinic held by the DHEC on Friday at the state fairgrounds in Columbia, The State reported Saturday.
“We heard about it this morning when a friend texted us to say she had heard that DHEC was running the vaccination program at the fairgrounds for people over 70,” Jay Bender, an attorney who sometimes represents the South Carolina Press Association and The State newspaper, told The State.
A DHEC spokesperson confirmed the department held the event.
Laura Renwick initially told The State that the event was not open to the public and was intended for pre-scheduled first responders but later clarified that some people without appointments received vaccinations.
Roughly 600 people were vaccinated during the clinic.
This story was originally published January 18, 2021 at 9:49 AM.
