Coronavirus omicron updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on March 1
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and vaccines in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Fewer than 250 new COVID cases reported in SC
At least 1.14 million coronavirus cases have been reported in South Carolina, and at least 14,384 people have died of the virus since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Tuesday, March 1, reported 227 new COVID-19 cases and 37 coronavirus-related deaths. There were also 72 probable cases and 11 probable deaths.
The omicron variant accounted for 100% of coronavirus strains identified in South Carolina for the week ending Feb. 6, state health data shows. The DHEC’s Public Health Laboratory conducts sequencing on randomly chosen samples as part of nationwide efforts to identify new coronavirus strains, according to the agency’s website.
At least 587 people in the state were hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Feb. 28, including 113 patients being treated in intensive care units and 61 on ventilators. Data shows 7% of hospitalizations in South Carolina are coronavirus-related.
As of March 1, 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.
Roughly 54% of South Carolinians eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and just over 63% have received at least one dose, health officials say.
Rock Hill teen nearly dies from COVID-related illness
A Rock Hill teen nearly went into organ failure and could have died as a result of a rare condition linked to COVID-19, The Rock Hill Herald reported.
Allison Dove recalled nearly losing her 14-year-old son Preston to multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, better known as MIS-C. The rare illness, which can cause inflammation in the heart, lungs, brain and other organs, landed Preston in intensive care at Atrium Health’s Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, barely able to open his eyes.
The teen had been to multiple doctors and hospitals where he was tested for COVID-19, strep and the flu, his mother said. They all were negative, and the family was left without answers.
Doctors finally diagnosed Preston with MIS-C shortly after he was admitted to Levine’s ICU, the newspaper reported.
“It’s one of those situations that you just never think you’ll be in,” she told The Rock Hill Herald in a recent interview.
Read the full story for more information on the link between COVID-19 and MIS-C.
This story was originally published March 1, 2022 at 7:04 AM.