COVID-19 vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on March 18
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 457,000
At least 457,217 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina and 7,896 have died since the pandemic began last March, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Thursday reported 856 new COVID-19 cases, up from 733 reported the day before.
Six coronavirus-related deaths and one “probable” death were also reported.
At least 568 people were hospitalized with the coronavirus in the state as of Thursday, with 137 COVID-19 patients in intensive care, state data shows.
As of Thursday, 6.3% of COVID-19 tests were reported positive. 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 535,500 residents have “completed vaccination,” state data shows.
Richland County residents could see rent relief soon
Richland County renters who have fallen behind on rent payments during the pandemic could get assistance through a $12.5 million grant from the Treasury Department, according to The State.
Residents who qualify may receive funding for up to 12 months of delinquent payments. Three months of additional funds may also be offered once debts are paid off.
To qualify, tenants must have experienced financial hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic, prove they’re at risk of losing housing and earn less than 80% of the area’s median income.
Applications open on April 5.
Halted cleanups leave SC roads, waterways filthy
The COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellations of community cleanups last year, leaving South Carolina’s beaches, streets and waterways teeming with trash, The State reported.
Now anti-litter organizers are seeking out volunteers to help get the state looking pristine again. Organizers say the lack of cleanups in 2020 led to a nearly 50% drop in the amount of trash and other waste collected across Richland County.
“We canceled many adopt-a-highway cleanups because everything was shutting down and we just couldn’t have volunteers out there,’’ Laura Blake-Orr, a programs manager for Keep the Midlands Beautiful, told the newspaper.
DHEC takes steps to improve vaccination plan
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control plans to implement an improved model for COVID-19 vaccine distribution that could help cut down on appointment cancellations, The Island Packet reported.
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.”
This story was originally published March 18, 2021 at 7:47 AM.