COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Dec. 20
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and vaccines in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
More than 800 new cases reported in SC
At least 749,656 people have tested positive for the coronavirus and 12,532 have died in South Carolina since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Monday, Dec. 20, reported 817 new COVID-19 cases and one coronavirus-related death. There were also 275 probable cases and no probable deaths.
At least 553 people in the state were reported hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Dec. 20, including 172 patients being treated in intensive care units and 78 on ventilators. Roughly 6% of hospitalizations across the state are coronavirus-related, data shows.
As of Dec. 20, 6.6% 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.
Roughly 51% percent 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.
USC keeps mask requirement as omicron surges
Students at the University of South Carolina will still be required to wear face masks indoors as the omicron variant of the coronavirus continues to spread worldwide, according to The State.
The university is keeping several policies it implemented last year to help slow the spread of COVID-19, including mandatory monthly coronavirus testing and face mask requirements for students, faculty and staff, the newspaper reported.
Masks are mandatory in classrooms, buses, medical centers and other buildings on campus. Face coverings aren’t required in dormitories or while eating.
By Jan. 10, those coming to campus for the spring 2022 semester must also show either a COVID-19 vaccination record, proof of a COVID-19 infection in the last 90 days or a negative COVID-19 result from a test taken between Jan. 3 and Jan. 10, The State reported, citing USC’s website.
For more information, read the full story here.
Optimism about COVID-19 takes a dive in US, poll finds
Americans are feeling less optimistic about the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the results of a new poll.
Findings of a Gallup poll released this week show 30% of Americans feel the coronavirus situation is improving — 20 point drop from 51% in a poll conducted in mid-October, McClatchy News reported.
Personal concerns about the virus and social distancing behaviors remained largely unchanged, however.
Thirty-eight percent of respondents said they are very or somewhat worried about contracting COVID-19, the poll showed, and 46% said they have avoided large crowds in the past week because of it.
“These social distancing behaviors have largely been stable since May, except for September, when slightly more eschewed large crowds and traveling as perceptions of the coronavirus situation worsened,” Gallup said.
The latest poll was conducted Nov. 29-Dec. 5 and surveyed 4,034 U.S. adults, according to McClatchy News.
