Coronavirus omicron updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Jan. 8
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and vaccines in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Over 9,300 new COVID cases reported in SC
At least 826,703 people have tested positive for the coronavirus and 12,743 have died in South Carolina since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Friday, Jan. 7, reported 9,376 new COVID-19 cases and five coronavirus-related deaths. There were also 3,620 probable cases and one probable death.
The omicron variant accounted for 72% of coronavirus strains identified in South Carolina during the week that ended Dec. 25. The delta variant accounted for roughly 26%, according to data from the state health department.
At least 1,566 people in the state were reported hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Jan. 7, including 275 patients being treated in intensive care units and 132 on ventilators. Nearly 17% of hospitalizations in South Carolina are coronavirus-related, data shows.
As of Jan. 7, roughly 29% 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.
About 52% of South Carolinians eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine are fully vaccinated, and nearly 61% have received at least one dose.
Watch for these symptoms of the Omicron variant, Lowcountry doctor says
A runny nose, sore throat and cough are early signs of a possible infection with the omicron coronavirus variant, according to one Lowcountry physician.
Dr. Faith Polkey, interim chief medical officer at Beaufort Jasper Hampton Comprehensive Health Services, said patients can experience a combination of symptoms, including nasal congestion, she told The Island Packet.
The highly contagious variant is believed to infect cells in the upper respiratory system more than those in the lungs, she said.
“People have definitely talked about more mucus production,” Polkey said. “It’s kind of the postnasal drip. ‘I got a little sore throat.’ It makes you think that your allergies are acting up.”
Other symptoms include night sweats and gastrointestinal issues.
For more on symptoms of the coronavirus variant, read the full story here.
Risk for diabetes rises for kids under 18 after catching COVID: CDC
Children under 18 are more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes after contracting COVID-19, according to a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The report, released Jan. 7, analyzed data from March 2020 through June 2021, before the super contagious omicron coronavirus variant fueled a surge in new cases across the U.S., McClatchy News reported.
Researchers found that minors who had COVID-19 were at increased risk of receiving a diabetes diagnosis at least a month after infection. Data from IQVIA, a medical claims database, showed that children who had coronavirus were 166% more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than children who didn’t have the virus.
“These findings are consistent with previous research demonstrating an association between (COVID-19) and diabetes in adults,” the CDC said.
Read the full story here.
Mask mandates return to Coastal Carolina University
A surge in COVID-19 cases driven by the omicron coronavirus variant has led Coastal Carolina University to reinstate its face mask mandate, The Sun News reported.
Students and staff will be required to mask up when they return to campus for the spring 2022 semester, university officials announced Jan. 6. The decision comes just weeks after the board of trustees voted to lift the requirement in mid-December when classes ended.
“Recognizing the ever-changing landscape regarding COVID can be daunting, please know that we will continue to make the decisions that are best for the university community,” university officials said in a statement. “Our students have experienced, and continue to experience, such a unique situation during this pandemic.”
Under the new guidance, everyone is required to wear a face mask indoors on CCU’s campus, with the exception of dorm rooms and dining halls. Students and staff must abide by the rules, regardless of their vaccination status.
To learn more about the university’s COVID-19 protocols, read the full story here.
This story was originally published January 8, 2022 at 7:52 AM.