COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on May 4
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 483,000
At least 483,611 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina and 8,383 have died since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control reported 294 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, down from 398 reported the day before.
There were no coronavirus-related deaths reported.
At least 386 people were reported hospitalized with the coronavirus on Tuesday, with 107 patients in intensive care units.
As of Tuesday, 5.1% of COVID-19 tests were reported positive. Health officials say 5% or lower indicates a low risk of community spread.
More than 1.3 million South Carolina residents, or about 32%, have completed vaccination as of Sunday, and more than 1.7 million, or about 42%, have received at least one dose of the vaccine.
Hilton Head ends mask rule for restaurants, stores
Hilton Head Island will no longer require masks to be worn inside of businesses, starting May 16.
“It’s time we give the personal responsibility back to our residents with the caveat that we request and strongly suggest that they continue to do what they think is best: Get vaccinated, wear their masks, (and) let businesses provide services in their stores by masked employees,” said Tamara Becker, Ward 4 representative.
The Town Council voted to let the ordinance expire, in light of declining coronavirus cases in the community and statewide, the Island Packet reported.
The vote was not unanimous; two council members and Mayor John McCann argued in favor of extending the mandate.
Hilton Head is more vulnerable to a potential COVID-19 resurgence than other parts of South Carolina, McCann said.
“Hilton Head is not like the communities around us, we’re running 1.5 million tourists a year,” McCann said. “We need to protect ourselves from the surge between now and July Fourth weekend.”
Businesses will still be able to require customers to wear masks if they choose to.
Columbia mayor leans toward letting mask rule expire
Columbia mayor Steve Benjamin said Tuesday he is “leaning toward” allowing the city’s mandate requiring residents to wear masks in public to expire this month, The State reported.
The ordinance is set to expire on May 16 unless renewed by City Council, but members took no action during Tuesday’s meeting. Council will convene again May 11.
“I think we are going to have to do some very serious dialogue between now and the expiration of our ordinance,” Benjamin said. “My hope is, as we go forward, that we will shift from a mandatory mask policy to a deep dive, very aggressive vaccination strategy. ... I’m leaning toward the expiration of the (mask) ordinance. I think it is prudent.”
Need a COVID-19 shot in SC? Walmart, Sam’s Club offer walk-ins
South Carolina residents in search of a coronavirus shot can now walk in and get one at Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies across the state, the company said Tuesday.
Walk-ins are welcome at any of the chain’s 121 pharmacies and will remain available “as supply allows,” The State reported.
Membership isn’t required to get vaccinated at one of the Sam’s Club clinics, the company said.
For more information, read the full story here.
Midlands school board to consider changing student mask rules
As pressure mounts to do away with face mask rules, the Lexington-Richland 5 school board will meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday to hear public comment and discuss the student mask policy, The State reported.
Gov. Henry McMaster said last week that requiring students to wear masks is the “height of ridiculosity.” However, the state Department of Education maintains it will not change its stance that students cover their faces for the rest of the school year during in-person classes.
Some parents have said individual school districts should be allowed to decide for themselves.
More women than men getting vaccinated in SC
South Carolina men lag far behind women when it comes to getting vaccinated against COVID-19, data shows.
Statewide, 44.5% of eligible women have received at least one dose of the vaccine compared with 34.5% of eligible men, The Sun News reports, citing the latest numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau and the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
This trend held true in Horry County, where nearly 50% of women have gotten shots while only about 43% of men have received theirs. Health officials are surprised, however, and attributed the disparity to women being more proactive about their health.
“The United States is similar to other countries where men may be more stoic and may be less likely to talk about sensitive issues or concerns they have with their health,” said Rachel Mayo, a public health professor at Clemson University.
SC sees drop in demand for coronavirus vaccine
South Carolina health officials say appointment slots for COVID-19 vaccines are going unfilled due to a significant slowdown in demand, The State reported.
“Remember the early days where people would talk about (how) they’d drive an hour, two hours to get to some place to get that precious appointment and get vaccinated?” assistant state epidemiologist Jane Kelly said. “We may now be entering an era where people are not as willing or not able to do something as dramatic as that, so we need to bring vaccine to the people.”
This week, the state ordered 47,000, or about 33%, of the 141,000 doses allotted to South Carolina.
Public health officials are now working to pinpoint reasons for the dwindling demand in coronavirus shots.
This story was originally published May 4, 2021 at 7:25 AM.