COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on May 11
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and COVID-19 vaccines in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Nearly 200 new cases reported
At least 486,282 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina and 8,448 have died since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control reported 192 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, down from 277 reported the day before.
No coronavirus-related deaths were reported Tuesday.
At least 359 people were reported hospitalized with COVID-19, and 92 patients were in intensive care units.
As of Tuesday, 4.1% of COVID-19 tests were reported positive. Health officials say 5% or lower indicates a low risk of community spread.
More than 1.4 million South Carolina residents, or 34%, have completed vaccination against COVID-19, and more than 1.7 million, or 43%, have received at least one dose.
Schools, local governments may no longer impose mask rules
Gov. Henry McMaster issued an executive order Tuesday preventing South Carolina schools and local governments from requiring people to wear masks.
More specifically, the order says parents can opt their children out of school district mask rules, and local government mask policies predicated on McMaster’s pandemic state of emergency are not valid. It also preemptively prevents jurisdictions from requiring proof of vaccination to receive government services or enter a government building.
“With the COVID-19 vaccine readily available and case numbers dropping, I will not allow local governments to use the state of emergency declaration as a reason for implementing or maintaining mask mandates,” McMaster said in a statement. “Everybody knows what we need to do to stay safe — including wearing a mask if you’re at risk of exposing others — but we must move past the time of governments dictating when and where South Carolinians are required to wear a mask.”
Over $2 billion in COVID aid coming to SC
Nearly $2.5 billion in federal COVID-19 aid is heading to South Carolina, and all 46 counties will get a piece, The State reported.
Greenville County will see $101 million. Charleston and Richland counties are set to receive $80 million each. Richland County will take $80 million, Horry County is expecting $68 million, and York County will get $54 million.
The funds are part of the White House’s latest $350 billion round of coronavirus aid. Payouts should be arriving to state and local governments across the country in the coming days.
Officials will have some leeway in terms of how they spend the money, as long as expenditures are related to handling the pandemic.
No Carnival Cruises out of SC until Labor Day?
Carnival Cruise Line recently pulled most trips listed on its booking website through July, and the next trip out of Charleston, South Carolina, isn’t until Sept. 4.
When asked why most of the scheduled trips were pulled, a spokesperson said the company is awaiting new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding cruises, The State reported.
“We have taken no other actions on these cruises, and will update guests and travel agents once we finalize plans for the resumption of guest operations under the new CDC guidelines,” the spokesperson said.
The trips pulled from the site are not canceled, according to the spokesperson, but they are closed for sale.
“We are in a pause (through) June 30, but it is still to be determined when we begin sailing again as we continue to finalize protocols as part of our return to service plan.”
SC experts fear COVID-19 surge amid prom, graduation events
Proms and graduations are in full swing, and state health experts fear they could spur a surge in coronavirus cases, The State reported.
“We have concerns that prom and graduation events are going to be super-spreader events,” said Dr. Jane Kelly, South Carolina’s assistant state epidemiologist. “Prom is definitely a concern.”
Public health experts highlighted lower vaccination rates among young residents compared to older people. In Horry County, more than 50% of older adults have been vaccinated, while just 15% of residents ages 16 to 25 have been.
Health officials are urging schools to take advantage of the good weather and move events outdoors when possible to help slow the spread of the virus.
This story was originally published May 11, 2021 at 7:21 AM.