COVID-19 vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Feb. 20
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and COVID-19 vaccines in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Over 1,600 new cases reported
At least 434,589 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina and 7,325 have died since March, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Saturday reported 1,617 new COVID-19 cases, up from 1,585 reported the day before.
The agency reported 26 additional deaths were reported Saturday.
At least 1,086 people were hospitalized with the coronavirus in South Carolina as of Saturday, continuing a steady decline from record-high hospitalizations a month ago, which peaked at 2,466.
As of Saturday, 8.3% of COVID-19 tests were positive. Health officials have said the number should be close to 5% to control the spread of the virus.
More than 760,000 doses of the vaccine have been administered.
Lowcountry hospital sues county over mask-defying trustee
The largest medical facility in Beaufort County is accusing the county’s elected council of unlawfully trying to reinstate a hospital board member who was asked to resign after she urged the council not to pass a mandatory face mask ordinance, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday.
The suit, brought by Beaufort Memorial Hospital, says Beaufort County Council is usurping its authority and breaking S.C. law by unilaterally attempting to reinstate Kathleen Cooper to the hospital’s board of trustees despite the hospital’s assertion that she resigned and was not nominated to return.
DHEC reports more than 12,500 COVID cases in SC schools
The latest data provided by the state’s leading health agency and local school districts show that COVID-19 is still spreading.
South Caroina’s Department of Health and Environmental Control reported that, as of Feb. 17, there have been 12,556 cases of coronavirus in S.C. public and charter schools this year. That’s an increase of 969 cases from a week ago and an increase of nearly 2,000 from two weeks ago.
Rural SC is struggling to get vaccinated
Compared to their urban counterparts, rural South Carolina counties are receiving a less than equal proportion of COVID-19 vaccine doses, and fewer residents are getting inoculated, The State reported.
While about 40% of doses administered so far have gone to residents of Charleston, Richland and Greenville counties — accounting for roughly a quarter of the state’s population — just 4,946 doses have been administered in the eight rural counties that don’t have a hospital. That’s one-third less than if doses were being administered in an equitable fashion.
With fewer resources available in their communities, technology barriers and other issues that make scheduling a vaccine appointment difficult —for seniors, non-English speakers, and others -- are even harder to deal with.
Edward Simmer, director of the state Department of Health and Environmental Control, told lawmakers Tuesday that he is aware of the challenges rural areas are facing, and he aims to even the imbalance.
“We’re giving a lot of vaccine in rural counties, but we’re still lagging behind,” Simmer said.
The agency is ramping up vaccination clinics in rural communities, and addressing digital difficulties with online registration and scheduling, partly with “mobile events” at community centers.
“We know a lot of our folks, especially 65 and over, do not have internet, do not have easy transportation,” Simmer said. “And that’s why we’re looking to things like these mobile units to get it out into communities where people are, to make sure that we’re maximizing equitable access to the vaccine.”
This story was originally published February 20, 2021 at 8:04 AM.