COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Jan. 27
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and COVID-19 vaccines in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Over 6,000 South Carolinians have died of COVID
At least 384,556 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina since March, and 6,030 have died, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Wednesday reported 2,621 new COVID-19 cases, down from 1,993 the day before.
Eighty-eight additional deaths were reported Wednesday, pushing South Carolina’s death toll past 6,000.
As of Wednesday, more than 25% 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 2,140 people were hospitalized in South Carolina with the coronavirus on Wednesday.
As of Wednesday, South Carolina had received 622,350 doses of COVID-19 vaccines and administered 297,453 doses, according to the DHEC.
SC to start receiving 10,000 more doses of COVID vaccine weekly
South Carolina will be getting 10,000 more weekly doses of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine starting next week, The State reported.
The extra shipments will mean a 16% increase in the state’s total of first doses, compared to weeks past.
State health officials said to expect the larger shipments for three consecutive weeks. It isn’t clear they will continue in later weeks.
“While modest in number, the small increase in the Moderna vaccine doses will help further our efforts to vaccinate as many people as possible as soon as possible,” interim public health director Brannon Traxler said. “However, it is important to remember that the demand for vaccines still exceeds the supply that South Carolina is receiving from the federal government.”
SC House: Vaccine plan must weigh race, poverty
House legislators voted 116-1 in favor of spending $208 million to speed the state’s COVID-19 vaccination rollout, while also demanding health department officials take factors like poverty levels, race and age into consideration when allocating doses to regions of South Carolina, The State reported.
On Tuesday, DHEC’s board approved a plan to distribute vaccine doses to counties on a per capita basis, with no consideration for high-risk and vulnerable populations.
Under the House proposal, DHEC must weigh those factors. And instead of shipping doses to individual counties, the agency would distribute to four regions: the Upstate, Midlands, Pee Dee, and the Lowcountry. Each region will also have an advisory panel made up of local providers to help guide DHEC.
“We’re giving DHEC all the flexibility they need,” said state Rep. Murrell Smith, R-Sumter. “But we’re making sure they have all the information they need because South Carolina is a unique state, and it’s not one size fits all for everybody.”
Myrtle Beach’s only gay bar fights to survive pandemic
Before the coronavirus pandemic, Pulse Ultra Club — the only gay bar in Myrtle Beach — would see crowds of nearly 300 people on the weekends. Now, a good day means between 30-40 patrons, the Sun News reported.
So far it’s been enough to keep the doors open, just barely. But for how much longer isn’t certain.
The club’s owner, Ken Phillips, said he’s months behind on rent. He’s hoping for some stroke of luck or kindness to help carry his business through the pandemic, because there’s much left he can do himself to save the place — one of the only LGBTQ clubs standing for 100 miles.
“There would be nowhere for us to go, to see people like us, to meet up with people who are visiting,” Gabriel Neitz, a Pulse patron and drag performer, said. “People just moving here — they would have no way to make friends or meet other people that are like them aside from online apps. And those are only good for one thing — dating.”
Pulse is “the only thing we have,” Neitz said.
SC aims to make vaccination sign-ups easier
With many South Carolinians struggling to sign up for COVID-19 vaccination appointments, the state Department of Health and Environmental Control says it plans to make the process easier, The Island Packet reported.
Officials said they will launch a new online portal and a call center to helpvulnerable people, seniors and individuals without computers get vaccinated. A launch date has not been announced.
The call center will be staffed by more than 100 workers, DHEC officials said.
DHEC plans to ration COVID vaccine doses
With demand for COVID-19 vaccine doses outpacing supply, the state Department of Health and Environmental Control will begin planning to ration vaccine doses to counties on a per capita basis, The State reported.
Officials will discuss the plan more thoroughly in a Feb. 11 DHEC board meeting and will spend time until then fleshing out the details.
The per capita plan was selected over a different model that prioritized factors such as age, race and socioeconomic status.
“I think (at the next board meeting) we can come back with data to show you where the doses are being used, who’s using them and better information,” acting director Marshall Taylor said Tuesday. “And based on that you might decide to make a change then, too. But at least we have a path now of where we’re going and I think that will help the entire state from a planning perspective.”
Myrtle Beach Marathon postponed due to COVID
Citing coronavirus safety concerns, organizers of the Myrtle Beach Marathon said they are postponing the March 6 event until May 1, The Sun News reported.
The decision comes after a city council meeting Tuesday.
“Following our most recent discussion with the City of Myrtle Beach and our medical partners at Grand Strand Medical Center, it has been determined that we will not have access to the medical resources required to safely produce the event on March 6th due to the strain placed on them from COVID-19,” a statement from the Capstone Event Group read.
SC legislators to consider COVID vaccine funding bill
The S.C. House of Representatives will soon debate a bill calling for $208 million to improve and expand South Carolina’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout, The State reported.
Passed in committee Monday, the funds would go toward hospital staffing and equipment, transportation, storage, technology and other things related to distributing and administering vaccines.
“We must ensure citizens are receiving the vaccine as quickly, efficiently and effectively as possible, ultimately saving lives — all things that have not been happening,” Speaker Jay Lucas said in a statement. “I plan to have the full House of Representatives address this measure as quickly as possible. I hope for swift consideration by the Senate. Time is of the essence.”
The money would be split three ways under the bill: $63 million for the state Department of Health and Environmental Control, $45 million to the Medical University of South Carolina and $100 million to a vaccine reserve account.
Hospitals statewide would be able to use up to $75 million of the reserve account money, with the remaining $25 million available to other vaccine providers.
15 Walmart, Sam’s Club locations in SC offering vaccines
Pharmacies at 15 Walmart and Sam’s Club stores in South Carolina are offering the COVID-19 vaccine, the Island Packet reports.
Appointments are filled through Sunday this week. Walmart is launching a scheduling tool on Feb. 1 to allow users to check for appointment openings.
Look for the tool here: https://www.walmart.com/cp/1228302
The 13 Walmart locations are as follows:
4 Bluffton Road in Bluffton
115 Rolling Hills Circle in Easley
230 N. Beltline Drive in Florence
500 N. Dobys Bridge Road in Fort Mill
1310 N. Fraser St. in Georgetown
922 E. Main St. in Laurens
541 Seaboard St. in Myrtle Beach
1041 Edgefield Road in North Augusta
4920 Centre Pointe Drive in North Charleston
2795 North Road in Orangeburg
2151 E. Main St. in Spartanburg
1616 Central Ave. in Summerville
2401 Augusta Road in West Columbia
The two Sam’s Club locations are:
5426 Forest Drive in Columbia
1211 Woodruff Road in Greenville
This story was originally published January 27, 2021 at 6:52 AM.