COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on April 29
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 480,804 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina and 8,357 have died since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control reported 430 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, up from 403 reported the day before.
Twenty coronavirus-related deaths were reported.
At least 498 people were reported hospitalized with COVID-19 on Thursday, with 118 patients in ICU.
As of Thursday, 5% 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 Tuesday, the latest day for which vaccination data is available.
Gov. McMaster on masks in schools: ‘ridiculous’
S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster made his feelings plain Wednesday when asked about his thoughts on parents pushing back against mask rules in schools across the state.
McMaster, who chose not to issue a statewide mask mandate during the pandemic, sided with parents on the issue, according to The State.
“Those parents are exactly right,” he said at a news conference. “If they do not want their children being forced by the government to wear a mask in school, they should not be forced by the government to wear a mask in school against the wishes of the parents.”
“It is the height of ridiculosity for a school district to make that decision for the parents,” McMaster continued.
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 State newspaper.
Last year, the S.C. 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.
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.”
This story was originally published April 29, 2021 at 8:26 AM.