COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Aug. 13
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and vaccines in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
More than 3,500 new coronavirus cases reported
At least 535,121 people have tested positive for the coronavirus and 8,847 have died in South Carolina since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control reported 3,585 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, 1,401 more than were reported the day before. The state also reported 14 coronavirus-related deaths.
Over 1,100 people in the state were reported hospitalized with the coronavirus as of Aug. 9, including 317 patients in the ICU. The state updates hospitalizations once a week.
As of Friday, 14.6% of COVID-19 tests were reported positive. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 5% or lower means there is a low level of community spread.
Just over 45% of eligible South Carolina residents are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus and 53% have received at least one dose, health officials say.
Daily COVID case count hits record high in SC
South Carolina has recorded its highest daily coronavirus case count since January when infections peaked statewide, The State reported, citing the latest data from the state’s Department of Health and Environmental Control.
On Thursday, the agency reported 3,585 new confirmed cases and 893 probable cases. It marks the most cases since Jan. 22.
SC no longer tracking ‘mild’ breakthrough cases
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control has stopped tracking mild COVID-19 infections among vaccinated residents, instead turning its attention to breakthrough cases that lead to death or hospitalization, The Island Packet reported.
The department changed course earlier this year after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it would no longer monitor the number of breakthrough cases nationwide. Several southern states have continued tracking breakthrough infections, however.
South Carolina is currently experiencing a surge in coronavirus cases driven by the highly transmissible delta variant. State health experts say they’re beginning to see more positive cases among fully vaccinated people, though the cases are milder than those who aren’t vaccinated.
SC hospitals see severe COVID cases among pregnant patients
South Carolina health officials say more pregnant women are being hospitalized with severe cases of COVID-19.
Dr. Helmut Albrecht, an infectious disease specialist and medical director of the Center for Infectious Diseases Research and Policy at Prisma Health, is urging expectant mothers and those trying to conceive to get vaccinated as coronavirus cases are on the rise in the Lowcountry and across the state.
“As a new grandfather, one of the saddest things I’ve encountered in a while was to see this increased number of pregnant women in our hospital in the last couple of weeks,” Albrecht said. “Losing moms or having moms lose their pregnancy because they didn’t get vaccinated is devastating for everyone, including your health care providers.”
His call to action comes after the CDC updated its guidance to strongly encourage all pregnant women and those who are breastfeeding to get the COVID-19 shot, after they found no increased risk of miscarriage or other safety concerns among vaccinated pregnant women.
Horry County school board member hospitalized with COVID-19
A member of the Horry County School Board is hospitalized and on a ventilator after contracting COVID-19, the Sun News reported, citing a Facebook post from Congressman Tom Rice.
“Say a prayer for Ray Winters,” Rice wrote. “I hired Ray straight out of Law School in 1998. He became my partner before starting his own firm in 2008. He has served his community as a member of the Horry County Board of Education since 2014.”
In his post, the congressman honored Myrtle Beach area leaders, including former Horry County school board vice chair John Poston, who have lost their lives to the virus.
“We’ve lost too many to name here,” Rice concluded. “I pray we don’t lose Ray.”
This story was originally published August 13, 2021 at 7:23 AM.