COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Aug. 18
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and vaccines in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Over 2,400 new COVID-19 cases reported Wednesday
At least 584,199 people have tested positive for the coronavirus and 8,929 have died in South Carolina since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control reported 2,487 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, about 496 more than were reported the day before. Fourteen coronavirus-related deaths were also reported.
At least 1,796 people in the state were reported hospitalized with the coronavirus as of Aug. 18, with 438 patients in the ICU. The state updates hospitalization numbers once a week.
As of Wednesday, 19% 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.
Roughly 46% of South Carolinians eligible to receive the vaccine are fully vaccinated and just over 54% have received at least one dose, according to health officials.
Brookgreen Gardens offers free admission — if you get vaccinated
One of the Myrtle Beach area’s most popular attractions is offering free admission to guests who get the COVID-19 shot at an upcoming vaccination clinic, The Sun News reported.
Brookgreen Gardens has teamed with Tidelands Health to get people vaccinated as the delta variant drives a surge in new coronavirus cases. Patients will receive a voucher for free admission into the botanical gardens in exchange for getting the jab during a special vaccination event scheduled for next week.
“Our team continues to offer the vaccine in clinics, at area businesses, in our family medicine offices, during special events and now at one of the most popular attractions along the Grand Strand,” Kelly Kaminski, senior director of community health resources at Tidelands Health, said in a statement.
The clinic will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m on Aug. 25 at the Brookgreen Gardens’ ticket and information center.
Find out more about the event here.
South Carolina HBCU imposes campus-wide mask mandate
South Carolina State University is the latest state college to require face masks on campus in an effort curb the spread of COVID-19, according to The State.
The historically-Black university, located in Orangeburg, announced the decision Wednesday following the South Carolina Supreme Court’s ruling that the University of South Carolina had the right to impose mask mandates for students and staff.
The mandate takes effect Wednesday and requires all S.C. State students, staff, faculty and visitors to wear face coverings inside all campus buildings, university officials said in a news release. Exceptions include personal offices, individual dorm rooms and when eating.
“Participation is paramount in maintaining a safe and healthy campus environment,” the release states.
SC Dems push for reversal of school mask mandate ban
South Carolina’s Democratic lawmakers are calling on the state legislature to repeal a temporary provision that prevents face mask mandates in schools as coronavirus cases continue to rise, The State reported.
“We are seeing what happens when unvaccinated and unmasked children are put into a classroom setting together over the last couple of weeks,” state representative and assistant House minority leader Russell Ott, D-Calhoun, said at a news conference Tuesday.
State lawmakers argued that the move to restrict school districts from imposing mask requirements puts students, teachers and staff at risk of catching the virus.
“Schools are forced to either close or move to a virtual setting,” Ott continued. “Children under 12 cannot be vaccinated now, the mask is the only form of protection.”
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has held firm on his stance against mask mandates in schools, saying he doesn’t support the move.
Horry County loses school board member to COVID-19
Horry County School Board member Ray Winters died after a battle with COVID-19, The Sun News reported. He was 50 years old.
“Our hearts mourn for him, and our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Tracy, his daughter Alyssa, and their families,” district spokesperson Lisa Bourcier told the newspaper in a statement. “Mr. Winters was a dedicated public servant and deeply committed to the betterment of Horry County Schools and his community.”
Winters had been placed on a ventilator last week after falling severely ill with the virus.
Read the full story here.
Clemson professors threaten mass walkout
A reported lack of COVID-19 safety measures at Clemson University has some professors threatening to walk out in protest, according to The State.
“The lack of a mask mandate is endangering the health and lives of all of us,” Kimberly Paul, an associate professor of genetics and chemistry at the university, wrote on Facebook. “University leadership is not listening to us. It’s time to take action.”
Paul and other professors plan to stage a walkout en masse Wednesday — the first day of classes — in response to the university’s decision not to mandate masks for students during class. Associate professor of communication Andrew Pyle wrote on Twitter that Clemson was “unwilling to burn some political capital over a major public health issue.”
“What’s the point of having a huge amount of clout in the state if we won’t use it ... to save lives?” he wrote.
This story was originally published August 18, 2021 at 7:28 AM.