Every day, The Greenville News writes a new live story with the latest COVID-19 news relevant to our communities in the state. This is our COVID-19 news summary for November 24, 2020. We will update this story only until the end of the weekend.
Map of coronavirus SC: An analysis of COVID-19 cases by county and postal code
Greenville accounts for 15.86% of new cases on Tuesday
The state Department of Health and Environmental Control announced 1,374 new confirmed cases and 59 new probable cases of the new coronavirus on Sunday, as well as 23 additional confirmed deaths and 2 new probable deaths.
This brings the total number of confirmed cases to 196,330 and confirmed deaths to 4,010.
10,407 individual test results reported across the state yesterday (not including antibody tests) and 13.2% were positive.
Greenville County led the state with 218 confirmed cases. Greenville, which accounts for 10.2% of the state’s population according to the latest Census data, was responsible for 15.86% of the positive and probable cases registered in the state on Tuesday.
Anderson, who represents 3.9% of the population, was responsible for 5.79% of cases. Spartanburg, which represents 6.2% of the population, was responsible for 6% of cases. Pickens, who represents 2.5% of the population, was responsible for 6.21% of cases.
Clemson University offers refund for unused fees
Clemson will credit student refunds and account credits due to virtual classes after the Thanksgiving holiday, according to an email from the VP of Student Affairs.
The refund will be about 10% of the total semester value and will be automatically processed in each student’s account, said the email to the students.
Here’s what the school is partially reimbursing:
- Housing rental
- Dinner meal plans
- Activity fees
- Unused parking passes
- Transit fee
- Campus recreation fee
The university was already issuing returns to students at the beginning of the semester, after face-to-face classes were delayed by one month.
According to the email, more than 24,000 students will be reimbursed. The amount varies for each student.
Counties in the interior of the state have a higher percentage of positivity
The state Department of Health and Environmental Control announced 1,095 new confirmed cases and 16 probable new cases of the new coronavirus on Monday, as well as 5 additional confirmed deaths.
This brings the total number of confirmed cases to 194,902 and confirmed deaths to 3,987.
According to DHEC data at the county level, since November 1, between 18% and 21.7% of COVID tests in Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson and Pickens counted positive. The state’s overall positive rate in the period is 13.9%.
Greenville County led the state with 187 confirmed cases. Greenville, which accounts for 10.2% of the state’s population according to the most recent Census data, was responsible for 16.83% of the positive and probable cases reported in the state on Monday.
Across the state, there were 10,217 individual test results reported across the state yesterday, not including antibody tests, with 10.7% positive for COVID-19.
Greenville Tech freezes tuition and fees again
Greenville Technical College is extending its tuition freeze to the spring semester of 2021. The college initially froze tuition and fees this summer because of the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
College credit hours for 12 hours are frozen at $ 2,389 for residents of Greenville County without financial aid. For non-county residents, tuition is frozen at $ 2,593.
“With the uncertainty of those times, families need to know that the college is here to support them in every way possible,” said Keith Miller, president of the college, in a statement. “The action of the council demonstrates a commitment to the success of our students and our community.”
What to know Tuesday
- Six months after an emergency mask decree was passed, the city of Greenville did not issue a citation when it received 56 complaints of mask violations.
- As of November 18, hospitals in Spartanburg had a 95.8% occupancy, with 550 of the 574 beds occupied, according to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. Despite the increase in cases and hospital occupation, the Spartanburg economy continues on the road to recovery.
- Clemson University will keep its campus quarantine facilities open during the Thanksgiving holiday to ensure that infected students do not return home and spread the virus to their families and communities. Details here.