COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on May 12

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 486,537 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina and 8,453 have died since March 2020, according to state health officials.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control reported 182 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, down from 192 reported the day before.

Four coronavirus-related deaths were also reported Wednesday.

At least 365 people were reported hospitalized with COVID-19, and 99 patients were in intensive care units.

As of Wednesday, 4.7% 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 35%, have completed vaccination against COVID-19, and more than 1.7 million, or 43%, have received at least one dose.

SC education officials lift mask rule but criticize McMaster

State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman lifted her agency’s requirement that students and staff wear masks in schools on Wednesday, but education officials had some choice words for Gov. Henry McMaster.

Spearman’s decision came less than a day after McMaster issued an executive order effectively preventing schools from imposing mask rules. She chose to rescind the requirement “rather than wage a debate over constitutionality that would pit elected officials, students, and families against one another,” Department of Education spokesman Ryan Brown wrote in an email to district superintendents.

The department’s lawyers said McMaster’s order had shaky legal grounding, but Spearman felt the mask rule was now unenforceable nonetheless.

“The Governor thoroughly understands the rule of law and surely recognizes this but has been successful in his mission of circumventing public health guidance by inciting hysteria and sowing division in the waning days of the school year,” Brown’s email said.

Richland students will keep wearing masks

Two Richland County school districts will still require students to wear masks, despite an executive order from S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster barring schools and local governments from imposing mask rules.

Leaders with Richland school districts 1 and 2 announced the decision Tuesday, according to The State.

“We have not had an opportunity to review and assess (the governor’s) 15-page order in its entirety,” Richland 1 Superintendent Craig Witherspoon said in a statement. “We are also awaiting guidance and additional information from the S.C. Department of Education and the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.”

Until then, Witherspoon said the district’s mask rules will remain in place. Richland 2 leaders followed suit and said it would continue adhering to guidance from state and local health officials.

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. 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.

This story was originally published May 12, 2021 at 8:04 AM.