COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Dec. 11

We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and vaccines in South Carolina. Check back for updates.

Over 1,000 new cases reported in SC

At least 742,091 people have tested positive for the coronavirus and 12,435 have died in South Carolina since March 2020, according to state health officials.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Friday, Dec. 10, reported 1,021 new COVID-19 cases and 23 coronavirus-related deaths. There were also 445 probable cases and six probable deaths, data shows.

At least 494 people in the state were reported hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Dec. 10, including 126 patients being treated in intensive care units and 65 on ventilators. Roughly 5% of hospitalizations across the state are coronavirus-related, data shows.

As of Dec. 10, 5.6% 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.

Nearly 51% 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.

SC House passes bill to stop employer-driven vaccine mandates

Members of the South Carolina House passed a bill Thursday, Dec. 9, to prevent public employers from firing workers opposed to getting the COVID-19 vaccine, The State reported.

The measure, which was criticized by some business groups, was approved in a 67-31 vote.

In addition to preventing public businesses from firing employees for refusing the vaccine, the legislation would prevent local school districts and governments from requiring the shot among students and staff.

“We realized what we were up against, and nobody wants to infringe on anybody’s business,” state Rep. Stewart Jones, R-Laurens, primary sponsor of the legislation, said, according to The State. “It limits what can be done, it protects the employee and the employer.”

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Karina Mazhukhina

McClatchy DC

Karina Mazhukhina is a McClatchy Real-Time News Reporter. She graduated from the University of Washington and was previously a digital journalist for KOMO News, an ABC-TV affiliate in Seattle.

Tanasia Kenney

Sun Herald

Tanasia is a service journalism reporter at the Charlotte Observer | CharlotteFive, working remotely from Atlanta, Georgia. She covers restaurant openings/closings in Charlotte and statewide explainers for the NC Service Journalism team. She’s been with McClatchy since 2020.