COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on April 28
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and COVID-19 vaccines in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Cases exceed 480,000
At least 480,361 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina and 8,337 have died since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control reported 403 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, up from 307 reported the day before.
Twenty-eight coronavirus-related deaths were reported.
At least 487 people were reported hospitalized with COVID-19 on Wednesday, with 127 patients in the ICU.
As of Wednesday, 6.6% 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 Monday, the latest day for which vaccination data is available.
Beaufort will let mask mandate expire
The Beaufort City Council plans to allow its mask mandate to expire at 11:59 pm. Friday, the Island Packet reported.
Council members voted unanimously Tuesday to replace the mandate, in place since last year, with a new ordinance that “strongly encourages” mask use, but does not require it.
“I really feel like we can beat this,” Councilman Neil Lipsitz said, hoping residents will make the right choices on their own. “We just need to use common sense.”
SC long-term care facilities face fines
Some South Carolina nursing homes and assisted living facilities are facing hefty fines tied to the state’s COVID-19 reporting rules, according to The Sun News.
Last year, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control began requiring long-term care facilities to submit a weekly visitation log to help keep track of which facilities are adhering to the state’s guidance. Those that don’t turn in the report on time are forced to pay up.
Linda Walker, an administrator at the Midway Residential Care Facility in Spartanburg County, said the facility has been fined more than $6,300 for violating the visitor reporting rules.
”It’s a waste of time,” Walker said. “When we close down the facilities, we close them down. When we open them up, we open them up. To me, it’s just something more to do. And then if you forget, heaven forbid, it’s thousands upon thousands of dollars.”
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, which includes Hilton Head and Coastal Carolina hospitals, said it is ending the clinic because of falling demand.
The last day to get a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the clinic will be May 7. 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.
This story was originally published April 28, 2021 at 7:00 AM.