COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Feb. 17

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

Hospitalizations continue to fall

At least 429,494 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina and 7,248 have died since March, according to state health officials.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Wednesday reported 655 new COVID-19 cases, down from 868 reported the day before. Wednesday is the second day in a row that fewer than 1,000 new cases have been reported.

Tuesday marked the first time in three months that officials saw less than 1,000 new daily cases.

Fifty additional deaths were reported Wednesday.

At least 1,205 people were hospitalized with the coronavirus in South Carolina as of Wednesday, the fewest in over two months.

As of Wednesday, 9.1% of COVID-19 tests were positive. Health officials have said the number should be close to 5% to control the spread of the virus.

SC vaccination rates show racial disparities

About 10% of South Carolina’s white population has been vaccinated against COVID-19, compared to 5% of Black residents and 3% of Latinos, The State reports.

The new data released this week by state health officials highlights a racial disparity that is stark, but to experts, not surprising.

“I think disparity is typical,” said Georges C. Benjamin, director of the American Public Health Association, adding that many states are seeing similar data. “The issue here is whether it’s avoidable, and I believe it’s avoidable. States should do whatever they can to eliminate disparities.”

Part of the issue is that Black people are less trusting of the vaccines, and are biding their time to ensure that it’s safe, experts say, pointing out that there are historical betrayals perpetrated against Black Americans which fuel that distrust.

Studies show Latinos are also hesitant to get inoculated, at least for the time being.

Still, many argue that the system for allocating vaccine doses is largely to blame for the disparities. And in recent weeks, DHEC has begun changing its allocation strategy in an effort to achieve equitable vaccine distribution.

“We are now very focused on how do we make sure we’re getting into every area — rural, urban whatever it is,” DHEC’s new director, Edward Simmer, said Tuesday during a House Legislative Oversight Committee hearing. “Many of those areas are underserved medically. That adds to the challenge of getting vaccine. But we are committed to finding those places and, ultimately, we need to take the vaccine to people not ask them to come to us. And until we can do that, we won’t be successful.”

Vaccine ‘Hunger Games’ underway in South Carolina

With lawmakers considering moving teachers toward the front of the COVID-19 vaccine line, alongside seniors and health workers, more workers and employers in other fields are asking for the same treatment, The State reported.

Industry representatives went to bat for workers in manufacturing, public transit, adult daycares, the clergy and more, arguing that they too are essential workers at risk of exposure to the coronavirus.

Legislators are forced to ask themselves who is more deserving, and who is less, of a limited vaccine supply.

“This process kind of reminds you of a modern day ‘Hunger Games,’” House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford said. “It deals with people fighting for survival. We’re sitting on this panel and we’re forced to be in this position because the Senate didn’t do any semblance of a job and didn’t listen to any testimony or think about the bill they sent over.”

The House is mulling the bill which passed in the Senate earlier this month. Unless it passes the full legislature, teachers will have to wait until phase 1B of the state’s vaccine rollout plan.

The push to get teachers inoculated quickly is likewise motivated by a desire among lawmakers to see schools reopened five days a week, safely and soon.

Waiting on COVID test results? There’s a new way to check

The state Department of Health and Environmental Control has launched a new process for people to see the results of their COVID-19 tests.

Those who get tested and still don’t have results after 72 hours can call the DHEC Care Line at 1-855-472-3432, or email ACC-Testing-CustomerService@dhec.sc.gov.

Callers will be directed to testing teams who have access to a secure database and can look up results, even for individuals who weren’t tested at DHEC-sponsored sites, The Island Packet reports.

More than 665,000 vaccine doses administered

As of Tuesday, South Carolina has received 970,550 coronavirus vaccine doses and administered 668,533 doses.

The majority of the doses have gone to frontline health care workers and community first responders, The State reports. More than 454,000 people have made appointments to get vaccinated as of Tuesday.

South Carolina is in Phase 1A of its vaccine rollout. Anyone eligible to get the shot can use DHEC’s locator tool to find a provider with availability at www.scdhec.gov/vaxlocator. For those without internet access, DHEC has a phone line — 866-365-8110 — where operators are available every day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

McMaster to approve $208 million in vaccine assistance

Gov. Henry McMaster plans to sign a bill providing $208 million to help administer COVID-19 vaccines across South Carolina, largely by providing money to hospitals and other vaccine providers, The State reported.

Under the bill, the state Department of Health and Environmental Control will provides vaccine doses on a per capita basis to the state’s four regions — the Lowcountry, Midlands, Upstate, and Pee Dee — instead of per capita by county.

Lawmakers also want DHEC to take factors such as poverty, age and ethnicity into account when distributing vaccines, making sure doses go where they are most needed.

SC students lost educational ground during pandemic, study finds

An analysis of test scores shows that South Carolina students have lost ground academically during the pandemic, The State reported.

Scores in MAP testing, designed to measure progress in reading, language usage and math, have fallen behind where they were expected to be — especially among younger students’ math performance.

However, older students actually performed better overall during the pandemic than in years past.

The findings highlight the importance of in-person instruction, particularly for lower grade levels.

“Those early grades are very critical and we can’t afford to let those kids fall any further behind,” Education Department spokesperson Ryan Brown said.

Columbia postpones consideration of $500 mask fines

A new measure was set to be considered Tuesday by the Columbia City Council which would have increasedpenalties for mask ordinance violations, especially for repeat offenders. But the discussion has been postponed.

In an email to staffers, Mayor Steve Benjamin said the way the proposed ordinance is written is like “trying to kill a fly with a sledgehammer.”

Columbia has had a mask ordinance since June. Initially, the fine was $25, but in November, the city council raised it to $100. The council was set to consider a measure that would impose fines of up to $500 for repeat offenders.

The proposal says a first mask offense would remain a $100 fine and a second offense would carry a fine of $200. A third offense and beyond would carry a $500 fine.

It also says that business owners, managers or supervisors could face fines if they fail to ensure their employees wear masks. Fines would start at $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second offense and $500 for a third offense and beyond.

Though it was taken off of Tuesday’s agenda, council members discussed the ordinance behind closed doors.

Benjamin said he isn’t sure when, or if, the ordinance will come up for a vote.

“I don’t know if we will consider one again just yet,” Benjamin said. “We need to have more discussion among Council and the public before we move forward with anything.”

This story was originally published February 17, 2021 at 6:58 AM.