COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Feb. 4

We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and COVID-19 vaccines in South Carolina. Check back for updates.

Over 531,000 vaccine doses administered

At least 403,928 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina since March and 6,730 have died, according to state health officials.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Thursday reported 1,649 new COVID-19 cases, down from 1,762 reported the day before.

Seventy-five additional deaths were reported Thursday.

At least 1,677 people were hospitalized with the coronavirus in South Carolina as of Thursday.

As of Thursday, 10.1% of COVID-19 tests were positive, a decline from past weeks. However, the lower percentage isn’t due to a decrease in coronavirus activity, but a change in the way DHEC is calculating the figure.

Health officials have said that number should be closer to 5% to control the spread of the virus.

A total of 779,250 COVID vaccine doses had been delivered to the state as of Thursday, and 531,918 shots had been administered.

57% of Beaufort Co. school employees say they want vaccine

A recent survey sent out by Beaufort County School District to employees found that 57% want to get the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available to them, the Island Packet reported.

However, the true percentage may be higher, as only 2,208 staff out of 3,000 responded to the survey, or about 73% of the district’s workforce, Superintendent Frank Rodriguez said. Of those who responded, 77% said they would get vaccinated.

While teachers likely won’t be eligible to receive the vaccine until phase 1b of South Carolina’s vaccination plan, expected to start in the Spring, the school district is already preparing.

According to Rodriguez, the district has shared employee contact info with local hospitals.

Beaufort Memorial Hospital CEO Russell Baxley said that when the time comes, he will work with Rodriguez to hold mass vaccination events at school sites.

SC officials push schools to resume in-person classes

For months, state Department of Education officials have told schools to consider COVID-19 spread in their communities when deciding whether to hold classes in-person or remotely.

But not anymore.

Despite worries that schools would become hotbeds of coronavirus activity, Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman said Thursday that new evidence shows they are safe environments, if proper precautions are taken.

“Supporting studies have found schools to be safe when they’re following key mitigation strategies and they’re implemented consistently,” Spearman said, pointing to a study by a Medical University of South Carolina pediatrician.

“We know now you can operate schools safely even when there’s high spread in communities,” she added.

Over half of schools in the state, 646 of them, already offer in-person classes five days a week. Most of the rest have hybrid models in place, while a small number are purely remote.

The lack of consistent, in-person education and interaction is negatively impacting South Carolina students’ learning, particularly among younger students, Spearman said. The longer schools wait to resume normal teaching, the farther behind students fall.

“South Carolina cannot afford to delay going back to school any longer,” Spearman said. “Face-to-face instruction is vital for families and communities, and action has to be taken.”

McMaster wants seniors vaccinated before teachers

Gov. Henry McMaster spoke out in opposition of a joint resolution introduced Wednesday that would add teachers to phase 1a of the state’s vaccination plan.

South Carolina’s seniors are the most at risk against COVID-19, and should be prioritized over teachers and school support staff, he said.

“It is clearly the older people who are at risk and we are not going to take a single vaccination from those who are likely to die from this virus to give to someone who is not likely to die from the virus,” the governor said Thursday at a joint news conference with state Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman. “It would be unethical and immoral to do that.”

Under the current plan, teachers will be eligible for vaccination under phase 1b, expected to begin in the Spring.

Bill allowing home alcohol delivery passed by House panel

Two bills aimed at changing South Carolina’s liquor laws were passed by a House Judiciary committee Wednesday, but they still have a long way to go and plenty of opposition, The State reported.

H. 3575 seeks to make curbside alcohol delivery, temporarily allowed during pandemic, a permanent law. The second bill, H. 3772, would allow delivery drivers to drop alcohol right at people’s doors.

Both bills are headed to a full committee next.

Law enforcement has had few if any complaints about curbside service, but door-to-door delivery has raised concerns, including that people under 21 would have easier access to alcohol.

“Minors will not have the same public exposure as they would when trying to buy from a brick-and-mortar licensed dealer,” said Frank O’Neal, supervisor for SLED’s alcohol and narcotics unit, testifying at the House Judiciary subcommittee hearing Wednesday. “A $20 bill from a college student or a high school student that’s under 21 is just as likely to make that person (delivery driver) do the wrong thing.”

SC expands vaccine availability to people 65 and up

South Carolina residents 65 years and older can schedule COVID-19 vaccination appointments starting Feb. 8, The State reported.

Gov. Henry McMaster made the announcement Wednesday. Currently only people 70 years and up, and medical professionals, are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

“We have a moral and ethical duty to first vaccinate the South Carolinians who are at the highest risk of dying from the virus,” McMaster said in a statement. “At this time, placing a younger person between a senior citizen and what could be their lifesaving shot would be unconscionable and irresponsible. Today’s action will save lives and allow our teachers to be vaccinated next.”

Columbia extends mask mandate through April

Columbia City Council voted Tuesday to extend its mask mandate for another two months, The State reported.

Mayor Steve Benjamin said city council will likely return sometime in the next few weeks to discuss an ordinance that would strengthen Columbia’s mask mandate, including harsher penalties for repeat offenders.

Currently, the rule requires masks be worn in commercial businesses, establishments and public spaces. Face masks aren’t mandated for religious services, but are “recommended.”

This story was originally published February 4, 2021 at 6:48 AM.