COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Sept. 17
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and vaccines in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
COVID-related deaths in SC surpass 10,000
At least 660,034 people have tested positive for the coronavirus and 10,099 have died in South Carolina since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control reported 3,610 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and 1,167 that were considered “probable.” The state also confirmed 60 additional coronavirus-related deaths and 23 “probable” deaths.
At least 2,502 people in the state were reported hospitalized with the coronavirus as of Wednesday, with 600 patients being treated in intensive care units. Also, 410 patients were reported on ventilators.
As of Friday, 11.9% 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.
Approximately 50% of South Carolinians eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine are fully vaccinated, and about 59% have received at least one dose, according to health officials.
About 70% observed without masks in Horry County
About 70% of people spotted in Horry County on Thursday weren’t wearing masks.
The Sun Herald said that figure came after reporters observed 712 people in locations visited throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
Though the observations weren’t made as part of a scientific study, they show the percentage of people wearing face coverings is about the same as when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in May said vaccinated people didn’t have to mask up in some public places.
COVID leads more than 100,000 SC students to miss class
More than 100,000 students in South Carolina have missed classes this school year due to the coronavirus.
Over 21,000 children in grades K-12 have been in isolation due to positive COVID-19 tests, data show. And an additional 86,823 students have gone into quarantine after being exposed to someone who contracted the virus, The State reported Friday.
That means COVID-19 has forced about 14% of South Carolina students to be away from class this semester.
Also, roughly 5,000 faculty members have been in quarantine or isolation, representing about 10% of school staff, data show.
“We know that school officials consider many factors when they make decisions about classroom instruction, and we hope that including quarantine and isolation numbers in our statewide school reporting will provide an additional data set for informing school officials, as well as students, parents and caregivers, about the current status of COVID-19’s effect on our schools,” said Dr. Brannon Traxler, public health director for the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
SC parents, teacher sue over school mask rule
South Carolina parents and a charter school teacher have filed a lawsuit in hopes of blocking one district’s school mask mandate and stopping other coronavirus-related requirements.
The group is suing the Charleston County School District and its school board members. Other defendants are East Cooper Montessori Charter School, the city of Charleston and Charleston County.
The plaintiffs are asking a judge to find the schools and government bodies “in contempt of court,” The State reported Friday. The group that filed the lawsuit is also calling for children and adults to be able to go to school without wearing masks or having vaccines.
Shortage of antibody treatment in SC
South Carolina is reporting a shortage of monoclonal antibodies, which have been used to help treat COVID-19 patients with mild or moderate symptoms.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) on Thursday said it will have to ration the antibodies. That’s because the federal government said a national shortage would cause the state to get about one-third of the 13,000 doses that providers had requested, The State reported.
“Given the limited supply and potential delay in shipments, it is possible we may not be able to accommodate all patients who could benefit,” Edward Simmer, director of DHEC, wrote in an email to Senate President Harvey Peeler. “We will work with facilities to try to direct patients to those facilities who have monoclonal antibodies available to maximize the number who can benefit.”
SC attorney general threatens to sue over Biden vaccine mandate
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson is threatening legal action against a federal vaccine mandate recently announced by President Joe Biden’s administration.
Wilson, a Republican, has criticized the requirement as “a threat to individual liberty,” according to The State.
“Regardless of how you feel about vaccines, President Biden’s edict is illegal and if the administration doesn’t change course we’ll pursue every legal option to strike it down,” Wilson said in a statement Thursday. “I’m fully vaccinated and encourage everyone who can to get the shot, but this is a question of following the law.”
If implemented, the president’s plan would require employers with 100 or more workers mandate COVID-19 vaccinations or weekly testing. The requirement would also apply to all government workers and government contractors.
Wilson joins at least 23 other state attorneys general who’ve come out in opposition of the proposed mandate.
Horry County doctors discourage ivermectin use as COVID-19 ‘cure’
Horry County medical professionals are pushing back against the idea that ivermectin, an anti-parasitic drug, can be used to treat COVID-19 infections.
The drug, which is also sold as an animal de-wormer at a different dosage, has been touted as a medicine “that can end the pandemic” by some conservative groups, including the Horry County Republican Party, according to The Sun News. However, local doctors warn the so-called treatments don’t work and could be more harmful than helpful.
There’s also no medical consensus that ivermectin is an effective COVID-19 treatment.
“I think the potential for overdose is there, absolutely,” Paul Richardson, chief medical officer at Conway Medical Center, told the newspaper.
“I’m a physician, and I don’t have ivermectin in my medicine cabinet,” Richardson continued. “That, to me, is something I don’t think they should be (doing).”
Where are COVID hot spots in Horry County?
Coronavirus cases have dipped slightly across Horry County, but some communities are faring better than others.
The county reported more than 2,220 new COVID-19 cases in the week ending Sept. 12, an improvement from the 3,138 cases reported the week before, according to a data analysis by The Sun News.
Read the full analysis here.
This story was originally published September 17, 2021 at 7:10 AM.
