Every day, The Greenville News publishes 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 the weekend of January 9th. 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 County has 761 COVID cases on Sunday
The state Department of Health and Environmental Control reported 3,667 new confirmed cases and 48 new deaths across the state on Sunday. The agency also reported 80 likely new cases.
Of the 12,821 COVID-19 test results reported to DHEC, 28.6% were positive.
Greenville County had 761 new confirmed cases of the new coronavirus. The most populous of the state’s 46 counties, Greenville accounts for 10.2% of the state’s population according to Census estimates, and was responsible for 20.75% of confirmed and probable cases reported on Sunday.
The state’s cumulative total is now 323,855 confirmed cases, and there have been 5,315 confirmed deaths. In addition, there were 30,670 probable cases and 496 probable deaths.
Pickens County, which accounts for 2.5% of the state’s population, accounted for 5.2% (190) of the cases announced on Sunday.
Spartanburg, which accounts for 6.2% of the state’s population, accounted for 13.1% (479) of new cases, and Anderson, who accounts for 3.9% of the population, for 6.3% (231) of cases .
Hospitals in Upstate reported 87% bed occupancy because of the virus, according to DHEC. Spartanburg County had the highest occupation among counties in the interior of the state with 97.7%, while Anderson had 89.5%, Greenville had 85.6% and Pickens had 64.6%. Upstate had the second largest occupation of hospital beds.
Greenville County has 723 COVID cases and 42.6% positive tests
The State Department of Health and Environmental Control reported on Saturday 4,576 new confirmed cases and 52 new deaths across the state. The state health agency also notified 81 likely new cases of COVID-19.
Of the 15,046 results of the COVID-19 test reported to DHEC, 30.4% were positive.
In Greenville County, among those tested on January 7, 42.6% were positive, according to Greenville County Emergency Management. Greenville County had 723 new confirmed cases of the new coronavirus. The most populous of the state’s 46 counties, Greenville accounts for 10.2% of the state’s population according to Census estimates, and was responsible for 15.5% of confirmed and probable cases reported on Saturday.
The state’s cumulative total is now 320,105 confirmed cases and there were 5,267 confirmed deaths. In addition, there were 29,979 probable cases and 491 probable deaths.
Pickens County, which accounts for 2.5% of the state’s population, accounted for 3.3% (155) of the cases announced on Saturday.
Spartanburg, which accounts for 6.2% of the state’s population, accounted for 6.8% (314) of new cases, and Anderson, who accounts for 3.9% of the population, for 1.5% (72) of cases .
Hospitals in Upstate reported 87% bed occupancy because of the virus, according to DHEC. Spartanburg County had the highest occupation among counties in the interior of the state with 97.7%, while Anderson had 89.5%, Greenville had 85.6% and Pickens had 64.6%. Upstate had the second largest occupation of hospital beds.
Prisma Health increases visitation restrictions
From Saturday, January 9, the visitation rules in the Prisma health units will be changed due to the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases across the state and in the interior of the state.
The wide visitation to patients’ rooms is interrupted from Saturday. The team will work closely with patients and families to help keep them connected through virtual visits, such as iPads and other devices.
Limited visitation may still occur in some circumstances, such as the following:
- Pediatric patients, with only one care partner allowed 24-7, except for a one hour daily transition period when both parents or legal guardians can be present for medical discussions and joint training.
- Obstetric patients who are preterm, in imminent labor, labor, high-risk and postpartum may have a care partner.
- Patients undergoing sedation procedures, such as colonoscopies, may have a partner to care for.
- Case-by-case approval is required for visitation for those who require additional assistance from care partners, such as dementia patients.
- For assistance in the emergency department, the emergency room staff will use their discretion in the interest of patient care in treating children, the elderly and any patients with special needs.
- Up to three visitors may be allowed in end-of-life situations.
- Patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 are not allowed to receive visits, except under special approvals on a case-by-case basis.
Patients without suspicion or without confirmation of COVID-19 can receive religious service from the clergy of their choice, as long as it does not hinder their care. COVID-19 patients can still receive religious services, but the attending physician must be informed of the request.
In medical offices and outpatient offices, the visit will be limited to a care partner for obstetric patients and oncology patients, except in the infusion areas. Pediatric patients are entitled to a care partner, except children under two months of age, who may be accompanied by both parents. A care partner is allowed for adults with special needs. Care partners are not allowed to accompany a patient for laboratory or radiology services, unless the patient needs extra help.
All visitors must undergo an entrance screening and be masked at all times while in the hospital. Care partners must remain with the patient.
Children under 18 cannot visit, except in end-of-life situations.
SC housing launch program to help
SC Housing will launch a new program in February to help tenants and homeowners who are struggling to pay their bills amid the pandemic to stay at their homes.
Up to $ 25 million in eligible funds will be provided through the SC Stay program through the Community Development Block Grant program of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and the CARES Act. CDBG-Coronavirus funds were made available to the SC Department of Commerce, which asked SC Housing to lead the program for low-income residents.
SC Housing is looking for government and nonprofit agencies interested in helping to identify and certify families in need of rent and mortgage assistance. Interested parties can respond to the Qualification Request available on the SC Housing website. The RFQ deadline is January 19, 2021.
CDBG financing will be available for up to six consecutive months of short-term rent and mortgage assistance for requesting individuals and families whose income is equal to or less than 80% of the average county income adjusted for family size, if the owner or creditor confirms their due status and are willing to accept payment on their behalf, and can demonstrate that they cannot pay all or part of the rent or mortgage, or are late in their rent or mortgage, due to circumstances arising from the coronavirus.
Renters and homeowners seeking assistance to avoid eviction and foreclosure can consult the SC Housing website. For more information, call the SC Stay hotline at 833.985.2929 or visit SC Housing’s SC Stay program hub and fill out a short form.
What to know this weekend
- The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control reported 4,986 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 28 new deaths on Friday. The department also reported 91 new probable cases of COVID-19.
- South Carolina has announced more than 5,000 new and probable cases. DHEC is now looking to expand phase 1a and accelerate the vaccination process.
- A White House COVID-19 report shows that SC and the Greenville metropolitan area are among the worst in the country, with SC having the seventh highest positivity rate.
- With the COVID-19 death rates announced earlier this week, one in 1,000 Southern Carolinians died of COVID-19, using 2019 US Census population estimates.
- Mike Hayes, risk manager for the Pickens County government and a former deputy sheriff, died of COVID-19, the county said in a Facebook post on Thursday.
- Last Wednesday, the state announced that 686 companies across South Carolina will receive funds from the CARES Act, but there is a gap between what was requested and what was available.
- Phase 1a vaccine recipients now have a January 15 deadline to schedule a vaccination appointment with a provider.
New daily cases of COVID and deaths so far this month
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January 7th
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