COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on April 27
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and COVID-19 vaccines in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Cases inch closer to 480,000
At least 479,940 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina and 8,309 have died since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control reported 307 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, down from 362 reported the day before.
Two coronavirus-related deaths were reported.
At least 488 people were reported hospitalized with COVID-19 on Tuesday, with 126 patients in the ICU.
As of Tuesday, 4.6% of COVID-19 tests were reported positive. Health officials say 5% or lower indicates a low risk of community spread.
More than 1.2 million South Carolina residents had completed COVID-19 vaccination as of Sunday, the latest day for which vaccination data is available.
Hilton Head hospitals to close vaccine clinic
The vaccination clinic at Buckwalter Recreation Center will soon shut down, the Island Packet reported.
Hilton Head Regional Healthcare system, which includes Hilton Head and Coastal Carolina hospitals, said it is ending the clinic because of falling demand.
The healthcare system will stop offering first-dose vaccinations on May 8, making May 7 the last chance to get a first dose. Second-dose appointments will be available until May 28.
Experts believe vaccine hesitancy is contributing to the decline in demand.
“There’s a lot of mistrust, and I think we’re going to need to see a lot of education campaigns,” said Lior Rennert, a biostatistician at Clemson University.
PGA Tour heads to Jasper County in June
The 2021 Palmetto Championship is slated to take place in June at the Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, PGA Tour officials recently announced.
The event will take place June 7-13, and a limited number of tickets are available, according to The Island Packet.
It will mark the third PGA Tour event hosted by the Palmetto State in 2021, and it replaces the RBC Canadian Open that was canceled last month due to concerns over COVID-19.
“We are excited to offer spectators the opportunity to experience Congaree Golf Club,” PGA Tour tournament director Meghan Costello said in a statement. “The local community has embraced the tournament’s arrival under very unique circumstances, so we look forward to delivering a world-class experience for those spectators who get to see the PGA Tour’s best compete at this elite venue.”
For more on the event, read the full story here.
$271 million in rent relief coming to SC
For South Carolinians struggling to pay rent due to financial hardship caused by the pandemic, $271 million in relief is coming soon, The State reported.
South Carolina’s housing finance and development authority will accept applications for the SC Stay Plus program in early May.
Applicants can get up to 12 months of rent assistance or utility payments as far back as March 2020, plus another three months for future payments in some cases.
“Even as our state continues its recovery efforts, the economic hardships of the pandemic have placed many families in jeopardy of losing their homes,” said Bonita Shropshire, executive director of SC Housing. “It is our hope that SC Stay Plus will help them to get back on track.”
For more information on how to apply, or to sign up for notifications, visit SC Housing’s website.
‘Miscommunication’ delayed COVID-19 vaccine roll-out in Horry County
A dispute with the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control held up COVID-19 vaccination efforts in Horry County, The Sun News reported.
Earlier this year, DHEC cut off the county’s vaccine supply after it alleged the county government inoculated employees — including first responders — who weren’t yet eligible to receive the vaccine under Phase 1A of the vaccine roll-out.
The weeks-long back and forth was apparently the result of a “miscommunication” about who was authorized to receive a dose and when, according to emails obtained by the newspaper.
Horry County officials considered police, fire, EMTs and other county employees as “mission-critical for maintaining operations of COVID-19 vaccinations and testing in S.C.”
This story was originally published April 27, 2021 at 7:43 AM.