Coronavirus updates for June 8: Here’s what to know in South Carolina this week
.jpg "South Carolina reported 8,913 COVID-19 cases and four coronavirus-related deaths for week ending June 4, according to the state health department.")
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and vaccines in South Carolina. Check back each week for updates.
More than 8,900 new COVID cases last week
At least 1.5 million coronavirus cases have been reported in South Carolina, and at least 17,970 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, June 7, reported 8,913 COVID-19 cases and four coronavirus-related deaths for the week ending June 4. The counts include probable and confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths.
Data shows COVID-19 cases are down about 1.4% compared to this time last week while hospitalizations have risen 13%. As of June 5, 266 people in the state were hospitalized with coronavirus, including 23 patients being treated in intensive care units and five patients on ventilators.
The omicron variant accounted for 100% of coronavirus strains identified in South Carolina during the week of May 21, according to the latest available state data. The DHEC’s Public Health Laboratory conducts sequencing on randomly chosen samples as part of nationwide efforts to identify new strains of the virus, the agency’s website reads.
Fifty-five percent of South Carolinians eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and about 63% have received at least one dose, state health data shows.
Boosted Americans test positive for COVID more than those who aren’t boosted, CDC data suggests
Americans who are vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 are seemingly testing positive for the virus more often than those only vaccinated with the primary series, McClatchy News reported, citing data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The report, based on data through the week of April 23, showed that unvaccinated Americans had the highest coronavirus case rates overall. During this same time frame, about 119 out of 100,000 people who got a booster shot tested positive for COVID-19 compared to 56 out of 100,000 who are vaccinated but not boosted, data shows.
Health experts said there are several factors at play that could impact reported case rates, including the availability of at-home coronavirus tests.
“The wide availability of at-home tests has substantially muddied the waters, because these do not necessarily show up in official figures,” Bill Hanage, an associate professor of epidemiology at Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, told McClatchy News in a statement.
“Individuals receiving boosters may be more likely to have their cases counted,” he added.
Additionally, individual behaviors may have influenced the data, as experts say people who have received a booster shot may feel more comfortable taking fewer COVID-19 precautions.
For more insight on the data, read the full story here.
Did your at-home COVID test return a positive result? Here’s what to do next
Coronavirus case counts are rising in parts of the U.S. as the omicron variant and subvariants continue to make the rounds. So what should you do if you test positive using an at-home test?
Health experts advise that your first step should be quarantining at home to prevent further spread of the virus, McClatchy News reported, citing the CDC. It’s recommended that you isolate for at least five days, regardless of your vaccination status.
Alerting those who you many have been in close contact with is also important, health experts said. Also, be sure to wear a high-quality face mask if you have to be around other people.
For more tips, read the full story here.