COVID-19 vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Feb. 24

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

Over 800,000 residents vaccinated

At least 438,861 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina and 7,460 have died since March, according to state health officials.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Wednesday reported 896 new COVID-19 cases, up from 718 reported the day before.

Twenty-five additional deaths were reported Wednesday.

At least 968 people were hospitalized with the coronavirus in South Carolina as of Wednesday — marking the lowest total reported since late November and the eighth consecutive day hospitalizations decreased.

As of Wednesday, 8.8% of COVID-19 tests were positive. Health officials have said the goal is 5% or lower to control the spread of the virus.

South Carolina has received 1,084,750 coronavirus vaccine doses and has administered 813,788 of the doses.

Plan stalls to prioritize teachers for COVID vaccination

A plan to make teachers eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccination during Phase 1A of the state’s rollout has stalled in the House and may have failed, The State reported.

“House inaction” is to blame, Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey said in a tweet. Massey also said that, at this point, there’s likely not enough time to enact a plan anyway.

“Even if House agreed later to prioritize teachers, there won’t be enough time to offer vaccines and get kids back in school 5 days/week for meaningful instruction and learning this school year,” Massey tweeted Tuesday.

Massey has put himself at odds with Gov. Henry McMaster over the issue, with McMaster expressing concern that giving teachers vaccine priority will result in fewer seniors, the most vulnerable group, being inoculated against the coronavirus.

Legislators behind the effort hoped that by getting teachers vaccinated quickly, schools statewide could sooner return to in-person classes five days a week.

Midlands hospital has vaccine doses on hand, but don’t call

Lexington Medical Center has COVID-19 vaccine doses available — and open appointment slots — but phone lines are jammed with too many callers trying to schedule their vaccinations.

The hospital is asking people 65 years and older to fill out an online form to reserve a spot. Go to LexMed.com/vaccine, scroll down and click “Request Form” to register.

Once the form is filled out and shared, an email will be sent from the Vaccine Administration Management System allowing patients to schedule a time and date to get vaccinated.

On the appointment date, patients must bring ID or other documentation proving they are eligible to be vaccinated.

DHEC stops flow of vaccine to Horry County government

The state Department of Health and Environmental Control is pausing deliveries of COVID-19 vaccine doses to the Horry County government after shots were being given to people not yet eligible for a vaccine, The Sun News reports.

Vaccines were reportedly given to county government officials who don’t qualify in phase 1A of the rollout. Friends and family members of county employees were also given vaccinations.

County Council member John Vaught said confusion and a lack of clear communication are to blame.

“I think the whole thing is a comedy of errors myself because you can’t get two people across the hall from each other at DHEC to agree on a point and that’s how it’s been since the start of the pandemic,” he said. “I think there’s enough blame to go around on both sides. I’m just interested in moving forward.”

Horry County official shares false vaccine conspiracies

A Horry County Council member has been sharing false conspiracy theories about COVID-19 vaccines on Facebook, The Sun News reports.

Earlier this month, council member Al Allen shared an article from a pro-Trump website that misinterpreted federal data to claim COVID vaccines had killed hundreds of people.

Another article he shared claims that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is using the vaccines to inject microchips into people’s bodies, allowing them to control those people using 5G cellphone towers.

Experts reiterate that the vaccines have been proven safe and effective. Sharing false information, however, is damaging to the public.

“Public officials sharing anti-vaccine information can be harmful, particularly when it is incorrect, as it is in this case,” Dr. Krutika Kuppalli, an infectious disease doctor and professor at the Medical University of South Carolina, said. “It is important to be transparent and share correct information. When individuals whom the public trust don’t share correct information, then it undermines the public trust in all the information.”

Allen has not responded to any requests for comment.

This story was originally published February 24, 2021 at 6:56 AM.