COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Jan. 23
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and COVID-19 vaccines in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Cases surpass 370,000 as vaccine continues to roll out
At least 373,399 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina since March, and 5,855 have died, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Saturday reported 3,435 new COVID-19 cases, down from 3,528 reported the day before.
The state has reported more than 81,900 cases in January, the most new cases seen in a single month.
Sixty-three additional deaths were reported Saturday.
As of Saturday, 23,7% 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 2,224 people were hospitalized in South Carolina with the coronavirus on Saturday.
As of Saturday, the state had received 274,950 doses of the Pfizer vaccine and 267,800 doses of the Moderna vaccine. More than 174,000 first doses of the Pfizer vaccine and 40,000 first doses of the Moderna vaccine have been administered. About 41,000 second doses of the Pfizer vaccine have also been administered.
DHEC reports 385 new COVID cases in SC schools
South Carolina’s Department of Health and Environmental Control reported an increased number of coronavirus cases in schools on Friday.
State public and charter schools reported 8,465 cases on Friday, up from 8,080 on Tuesday.
The data comes as students in the Lexington-Richland 5 are planning a protest Monday calling for a delay in plans to return to five-day, face-to-face instruction. The district is slated to move to a full five-day schedule on Feb. 1, The State reported.
“I saw five of my classmates called out to be quarantined,” said Caroline Mack, a 17-year-old student at Spring Hill High School who is organizing Monday’s protest. “The 20 students in my home room dropped down to six.”
McMaster says he’s happy with vaccine rollout at hospitals
Gov. Henry McMaster said Friday he’s happy with vaccine distribution in hospitals after criticizing it earlier in the week.
He said he wasn’t initially satisfied with the distribution process but said the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control and the state’s medical centers are now “completely in sync,” The State reported.
“We’re past that now,” said the governor, who visited Hilton Head Hospital to watch its vaccination clinic on Friday. “The hospitals, this one being a prime example, are doing very, very well. … Those that are behind are catching up.”
South Carolina lawmakers have said they are looking to spend more than $200 million to help with vaccine distribution.
During a legislative meeting Thursday, they said that money would be divided among the Department of Health and Environmental Control, the Medical University of South Carolina, hospitals in the state and other vaccine providers. DHEC would get $63 million and MUSC would receive $45 million to ramp up distribution, The State reported.
Another $75 million would be set aside for hospitals, and $25 million would go to other providers administering the vaccine.
SC mayor pushes for recurring COVID-19 relief checks
More than 30 mayors, including Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin, took out a full-page advertisement in The Washington Post calling for recurring coronavirus relief checks throughout the pandemic.
A total of 34 mayors from across the U.S. were listed on the ad.
“American families are hurting and on the brink of economic ruin,” the ad reads. “Nearly half of all households cannot put food on the table, pay their utility bills or afford their rent or mortgage.”
Benjamin said the group of mayors, known as Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, aren’t focused on how much that relief funding should be.
“There’s more than 10 bills in Congress providing various levels of support,” he told The State. “Our focus is less in the exact amount and more in ensuring the payments are recurring.”
Carnival delays trips out of US ports
Carnival Cruise Line has pushed back trips from U.S. ports another month because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The trips have been postponed until at least April 30, The Myrtle Beach Sun News reported. It is the ninth round of delays and cancellations from Carnival.
A previous order delaying trips until March 31 resulted in the cancellation of a trip from Charleston that was scheduled for March 1. A Carnival Cruise spokesman said the latest delay has affected planned trips out of Charleston but did not say how many, according to the Sun News.
“We are certainly committed to welcoming (guests) back as quickly as possible, but unfortunately we have determined it’s going to take a while longer,” Carnival Cruise’s president Christine Duffy said in a statement.
Marine recruits quarantine before arriving on Parris Island
New recruits in the Marine Corps will quarantine in Jacksonville, Florida, before they are sent to Parris Island for training, Corps officials said Friday.
Recruits were previously quarantining in Atlanta hotels for two weeks before arriving on the base to help curb the spread of the coronavirus, The Island Packet reported. The Marine Corps Task Force Commitment opted to move the operations to Florida “to increase logistical efficiencies” after the end of hurricane season, according to a Parris Island communications officer.
“Each adjustment to our quarantine process is carefully balanced between the safety and health of our employees and staff, while ensuring our mission of making Marines continues uninterrupted,” Capt. Bryan McDonnell said.
This story was originally published January 23, 2021 at 5:56 AM.
