COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Nov. 3
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and vaccines in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Fewer than 300 new cases reported in SC
At least 721,558 people have tested positive for the coronavirus and 11,927 have died in South Carolina since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Wednesday reported 298 new COVID-19 cases and 27 coronavirus-related deaths. There were also 183 probable cases and 10 probable deaths, data shows.
At least 569 people in the state were reported hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Wednesday, including 158 patients who were being treated in intensive care units and 96 who were on ventilators. Roughly 6% of hospitalizations across the state are COVID-19-related, data shows.
As of Wednesday, 6.3% of COVID-19 tests were reported positive. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said 5% or lower means there is a low level of community spread.
Roughly 55% of South Carolinians eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine are fully vaccinated, and nearly 63% have received at least one dose, according to health officials.
SC kids ages 5-11 now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine. What to know
South Carolina children 5 to 11 years old are now eligible to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and can get it as soon as Nov. 3, The State reported, citing SC health officials.
The announcement comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention OK’d the shot for the age group Tuesday evening.
“Approval of the Pfizer vaccine for ages 5-11 is a major step forward for South Carolina and the rest of our nation in our fight against COVID-19,” SC DHEC Director Dr. Edward Simmer said in a statement. “We want people to know that a great deal of research and analysis went into the approval of the vaccine for this age group.”
Early studies show the vaccine is 91% effective at preventing symptomatic infections in kids aged 5-11, according to the CDC.
Simmer urged parents to learn more about the shot and take “advantage of this life-saving opportunity.”
Read the full story here.
Horry County Schools fills vacancy of board member who died of COVID-19
The widow of a Horry County School Board member who died from complications of COVID-19 has been selected to serve the remainder of his term, The Sun News reported.
Tracy Winters will represent District 3, which includes portions of Myrtle Beach and Carolina Forest. The seat was left vacant in August after Winter’s husband, Ray Winters, died from the virus. In her new role, Tracy Winters said growth in the school district will be a top priority.
“I wanted to serve on the school board to continue doing the work that my husband was doing and be an active liaison of students, staff and parents of Horry County Schools,” Winters said, according to the newspaper.
Dr. Fauci encourages COVID-19 booster ahead of holiday season
Infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci is encouraging Americans to roll up their sleeves and get the COVID-19 booster shot as soon as they’re eligible, especially as we head into the holidays.
“It’s a mixed bag,” Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and chief medical adviser to President Joe Biden, told McClatchy News.
“I feel good that the cases, the hospitalizations and the deaths are coming down,” he continued. “I’m still concerned that we have 64 million people who are eligible to be vaccinated who have not been vaccinated.”
Fauci stressed that vaccinations are key to a sense of normalcy for those who plan on celebrating the holidays with close friends and family.
“You’d like to know the status of the people if you’re going to have indoor gatherings with them, but if you’re vaccinated, you should look forward to spending your typical holiday time with family and with close friends,” he said.
SC woman home from hospital after months-long battle with COVID-19
After spending 95 days in a hospital, a Lancaster woman is finally home but is still recovering from COVID-19.
Cierra Chubb walked out of Prisma Health Richland hospital last week, The Rock Hill Herald reported. Doctors said she died at least once during her battle with the virus, and delivered her son two weeks early after being hospitalized with pneumonia in July.
Chubb’s husband, Jamal Chubbs, was by her side through it all and was happy to finally be able to take his wife home.
“I’m walking into this hospital for the last time to get my wife out of here,” he said in a TikTok video. “Let’s get her out of here. Let’s get her home.”
Read the full story here.
This story was originally published November 3, 2021 at 7:10 AM.
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