Coronavirus omicron updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Dec. 24
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and vaccines in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
More than 1,400 new COVID-19 cases reported in SC
At least 752,659 people have tested positive for the coronavirus and 12,574 have died in South Carolina since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Thursday, Dec. 23, reported 1,466 new COVID-19 cases and 14 coronavirus-related deaths. There were also 754 probable cases and nine probable deaths.
During the week of Dec. 12, 28.6% of COVID-19 strains identified in the state were the omicron variant and roughly 71% were the delta variant, according to the latest DHEC data reported as of Dec. 22.
At least 597 people in the state were reported hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Dec. 23, including 175 patients being treated in intensive care units and 83 on ventilators. Nearly 7% of hospitalizations across the state are coronavirus-related, data shows.
As of Dec. 23, 11.1% 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 nearly 60% have received at least one dose, according to health officials.
Because of the Christmas holiday, DHEC will pause daily COVID-19 reporting through Dec. 28.
Need a COVID-19 test before Christmas? Here’s where to get one in Rock Hill
Rock Hill residents looking to get a last-minute COVID-19 test before Christmas are in luck, as several testing sites will be open across York, Chester and Lancaster counties, the Rock Hill Herald reports.
“We know this variant is all over the country and the world,” Dr. Brannon Traxler, public health director of the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, said.
“We really all need to take the same precautions whether we are 10 minutes down the road from our house, or whether we are across the state or across the country or halfway across the world,” Traxler added.
For a full list of COVID-19 testing locations, read the full story here.
Rapid at-home COVID-19 test kits in short supply in Beaufort County
A surge in the highly contagious omicron variant has some South Carolina residents scrambling to get their hands on an at-home COVID-19 testing kit.
They may be hard to come by in Beaufort County, however, according to The Island Packet.
A search of 14 local pharmacies and grocery stores on Wednesday, Dec. 22, only turned up five of the testing kits for sale, the newspaper reported. Four of those kits were at a Walgreens in Beaufort.
An Island Packet reporter also found three mail-in testing kits for sale, which retail for roughly $125 each.
Read the full story here.
Which masks best protect against omicron coronavirus variant? What experts say
The omicron variant of the coronavirus appears to be more contagious than previous strains, prompting questions about which face masks are best at preventing its spread.
In updated guidance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that masks offer protection against all strains of the COVID-19 virus, McClatchy News reported. However, people may want to opt for higher-quality face coverings as the omicron variant continues to spread worldwide.
Dr. Leana Wen, a public health professor at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University, told CNN that “cloth masks are little more than facial decorations.”
“There’s no place for them in light of omicron,” Wen said. “And so wear a high-quality mask — at least a three-ply surgical mask.”
Read the full story here.
Biden grants access to free COVID-19 test kits. Is it enough to slow omicron? Experts weigh in
In an address to the nation on Dec. 21, President Joe Biden announced that all Americans will have access to free, at-home COVID-19 testing kits as the nation sees a surge in the omicron variant of the coronavirus.
However, some public health experts say efforts to get a handle on the new strain are too late, McClatchy News reported.
Health experts had been urging the Biden administration to make more testing available, citing it as vital tool in slowing spread of the highly contagious variant, according to McClatchy News.
“It’s totally inadequate with respect to the number and timing,” said Dr. Eric Topol, executive vice president and a professor of molecular medicine at Scripps Research. “But at least it’s a first step in the right direction of distributing free rapid home antigen tests, which are pivotal for preventing spread.”
Americans will be able to order the free testing kits in January when the federal website launches.
Read the full story here.
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.
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