Coronavirus omicron updates: What to know in South Carolina on Jan. 12
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and vaccines in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
More than 8,000 new COVID-19 cases reported in SC
At least 877,965 people have tested positive for the coronavirus and 12,832 have died in South Carolina since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Wednesday, Jan. 12, reported 8,477 new COVID-19 cases and 43 coronavirus-related deaths. There were also 3,252 probable cases and two probable deaths, data show.
The omicron variant accounted for 72.2% 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 2,062 people in the state were reported hospitalized with COVID-19 on Jan. 12, including 352 patients being treated in intensive care units and 171 on ventilators. About 22% of hospitalizations in South Carolina are coronavirus-related, data shows.
As of Jan. 12, nearly 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 just over 61% have received at least one dose.
More COVID rent relief coming to SC counties
More help is on the way for residents in two South Carolina counties who are behind on rent due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The State reported.
On Jan. 8, the U.S. Treasury Department approved a request from SC Housing to distribute $32 million from its statewide rental assistance program for Charleston and Richland counties, according to the newspaper. Charleston will receive $10 million and Richland will receive $22 million.
SC Housing spokesman Chris Winston said the countywide assistance programs got less funding per capita than the statewide one.
“Counties with higher rent numbers (Charleston and Richland) moved through their funds more quickly,” he told The State, “While South Carolina, with one of the nation’s highest rates of homeownership, had additional funding that could be shared to ensure all South Carolina residents had access to the federal funds.”
Read the full story here.
A popular SC COVID test site is moving. What to know
One of Columbia’s busiest COVID-19 testing sites is moving to a new location, according to The State.
Starting Jan. 13, coronavirus testing at the Department of Health and Environmental Control parking lot on Bull Street will move to the Columbia Place Mall, the newspaper reported, citing state health officials. The new eight-lane testing drive-thru aims to shorten wait times and prevent traffic issues.
“The new Columbia Place Mall location was specifically designed to accommodate the increased need for testing in the Midlands area created by the surging delta and omicron variants and the space limitations of the 2600 site.
“Those who desire to be tested are encouraged to make the short drive for significantly reduced wait times and a much-improved experience,” state health officials said in a statement.
Pre-registration is suggested, but not required.
The old Bull Street location will continue offering Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines, The State reported.
For more information, read the full story here.
USC raises COVID-19 risk level. What to know
A spike in COVID-19 cases has prompted the University of South Carolina to increase its risk status for students and staff on campus, according to The State.
A total of 867 people, including students and university employees, had a positive COVID-19 infection as of Tuesday, Jan. 11, the newspaper reported, citing USC’s online COVID-19 dashboard. The percent positivity rate for among students is 23.4% while the employee percent positive rate is 9.7%, data show.
The university upped its campus COVID-19 risk status from “new normal” to “low” in response to the increased cases. The spike comes as the highly infectious omicron variant drives new COVID-19 cases across South Carolina and beyond.
Read the full story here.
Myrtle Beach temporarily halts recycling pick-up due to COVID-19 exposure
Myrtle Beach residents will have to wait a while longer for their recyclable waste to be picked up, thanks to staff shortages brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
City officials announced that recycling pick-up services will be suspended temporarily through the rest of the week, The Sun News reported. Yard waste and bulky junk pick-up will also be limited.
Residential garbage pick-up is unaffected, officials said.
SC House, Senate balconies closed to the public as omicron spreads
Access to balconies atop the South Carolina House and Senate chambers will remain closed to the public for now due to a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases driven by the omicron coronavirus variant, The State reported.
State House and Senate leaders said the balconies will be limited to lawmakers only.
“As we continue to evaluate rising COVID-19 case numbers across the state, I have decided to keep the balcony closed to visitors and guests to allow members space to social distance,” Senate President Thomas Alexander, R-Oconee, wrote in a memo to colleagues, The State reported.
The gallery doors remained closed last year due the pandemic, forcing spectators to watch the legislative proceedings from home, work or in the lobby between both chambers.
“We will continue to monitor the situation so when appropriate we can welcome visitors and guests back to the chamber,” Alexander said.
Hilton Head residents wait in hours-long line for COVID-19 tests
A surge in demand for COVID-19 tests caused an hours-long traffic jam on Hilton Head Island as residents flocked to a state-run coronavirus testing site, according to The Island Packet.
Hundreds of cars were stuck waiting in a line that snaked down Squire Pope Road and wrapped around Fire Station 4 where officials were conducting PCR COVID-19 tests, the newspaper reported. One Island Packet reporter said he spent nearly three hours in his car before he was tested.
Spread of the highly infectious omicron coronavirus variant has caused a spike in demand for testing in recent weeks.
“There’s a high demand (for testing), and they’re trying to cycle them through as quickly as possible,” Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue spokesperson Joheida Fister said, according to the newspaper.
Read the full story here.
This story was originally published January 12, 2022 at 7:19 AM.