COVID-19 vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on March 17
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and COVID-19 vaccines in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Cases surpass 456,000
At least 456,296 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina and 7,890 have died since the pandemic began last March, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Wednesday reported 733 new COVID-19 cases, up from 383 reported the day before.
Officials said 38 coronavirus-related deaths and 14 new “probable” deaths were reported Wednesday.
At least 576 people were hospitalized with the coronavirus in the state as of Wednesday, with 130 COVID-19 patients in intensive care, state data shows.
As of Wednesday, 4.5% of COVID-19 tests were reported positive, the state health department said. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 5% or lower means there is a low level of community spread.
More than 1.4 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine had been administered in South Carolina as of Tuesday, and more than 525,500 residents have “completed vaccination,” state data shows.
Two SC cities extend mask mandates
Elected leaders in two South Carolina cities — Columbia and Hilton — voted Tuesday extend face mask rules.
The Columbia City Council agreed to extend its mandate for 60 days, through May, The State reported.
District 4 Councilman Daniel Rickenmann proposed shortening the mask extension to 30 days; however, the amendment didn’t receive support from fellow council members.
“If we look at the data, we’ve had tremendous drop (in cases),” he said Tuesday. “We’re not out of there yet. We still need to get some vaccinations and so forth. But I would prefer that we look at it in 30-day increments rather than 60-day increments.”
Under the citywide ordinance, face masks covering the nose and mouth “shall be required in all public places within the city,” including commercial establishments and in situations where it may be difficult to remain socially distanced.
The Hilton Head Island Town Council voted to expend its face mask requirement for commercial spaces until May 16, The Island Packet reported.
The rule includes grocery stores, restaurants, bars, gyms, stores, hotel lobbies and other businesses.
More vaccination events scheduled for Beaufort County teachers
Teachers and staff in the Beaufort County School District can receive COVID-19 vaccinations at two sites on Thursday, The Island Packet reported.
Shots will be available from 3 to 6 p.m. at Hilton Head Hospital and from 1 to 7 p.m. at Bluffton Early Childhood Center.
Last week, 600 Beaufort County school employees got their first dose of the vaccine at clinics.
DHEC takes steps to improve state vaccination plan
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control plans to implement an improved model for COVID-19 vaccine distribution that will help cut down on appointment cancellations, according to The Island Packet.
Going forward, DHEC will allocate a weekly “baseline” of first doses to coronavirus vaccine providers, guaranteeing a set shipment of doses.
The new plan stands to help Beaufort Memorial and other Lowcountry hospitals better gauge how many patients they can vaccinate from week to week.
“We want to ensure that we’re more predictable,” said Nick Davidson, DHEC’s senior deputy for public health. “That will make everybody’s lives easier, and we would anticipate fewer cancellations ... because facilities know what they’re going to get, and therefore how many appointments they can make.”
Horry County reports budget surplus, despite pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has hit local economies hard. However, leaders in Horry County found a $3.5 million budget surplus to use for local projects, The Sun News reported.
It turns out a separate part of the county’s budget benefited from the pandemic, which has caused businesses to close and left thousands of people without work. Officials said fixed interest rates on Horry County’s bonds played a role in producing the surplus.
“It’s like mana from heaven,” Assistant County Administrator Barry Spivey said, according to the newspaper.
County leaders voted Tuesday on plans to utilize the surplus.
Rent assistance could come too late for some tenants
Housing advocates say they are concerned that rental assistance from the federal government might not be distributed to South Carolina tenants before a nationwide eviction moratorium is set to expire March 31.
When Congress approved a second round of COVID-19 stimulus money at the end of December, housing advocates applauded it as an important step in getting people back on their feet.
The $245 million in rental assistance given to South Carolina as part of the second stimulus package last fall is still in limbo, The State reported. The S.C. House passed a bill earlier this month to authorize distributing the funds, and a Senate finance committee will review it next.
South Carolina will receive millions of additional funds to help renters as part of the America Rescue Plan passed by Congress this month. It’s not clear when the money will be distributed.
Florence resident Tamika Star told The State she hopes the moratorium on evictions will be extended.
“I really need this extra time to be able to come up with this payment,” she said. “It’s just like being given a chance to work things out. I feel like the little people are not really given that chance.”
This story was originally published March 17, 2021 at 7:46 AM.