South Carolina has conducted nearly 6 million coronavirus tests since the pandemic began, a steady increase, even as new cases drop from January’s peak.
The State Department of Health and Environmental Control registered 5,916,875 tests until February 25, according to the latest data from the State of Palmetto.
To find a test site near you, visit scdhec.gov/covid19/find-covid-19-testing-location.
State figures
New cases reported: 1,112 confirmed, 335 probable.
Total cases in SC: 442,957 confirmed, 72,115 probable.
Positive percentage: 5 percent.
New deaths reported: 18 confirmed, 4 probable.
Total deaths in SC: 7,546 confirmed, 952 probable.
Percentage of ICU beds occupied: 73 percent.
How does SC rank in vaccines administered by 100,000 people?
42 as of February 26, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Most affected areas
In the total number of new confirmed cases, Greenville County (136), Richland County (99), Spartanburg County (72) and York County (72) saw the highest totals.
What about the tri-county?
Charleston County had 52 new cases on February 27, while Berkeley County had 41 and Dorchester County 31.
Deaths
One of the new confirmed deaths was a patient from Charleston County aged between 18 and 34 years old, while four were between 35 and 64 years old and the rest were patients aged 65 and over.
Hospitalizations
Of the 865 COVID-19 patients hospitalized on February 27, 221 were in the ICU and 109 were using ventilators.
What do the experts say?
The Food and Drug Administration recommended the authorization of a third COVID-19 vaccine on February 26, a move that could dramatically increase distribution across the country.
The Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine is the first to work in a single dose and does not require special refrigeration. The FDA vaccine advisory committee voted unanimously to recommend the vaccine to adults.
Talk to Sara Coello at 843-901-2995 and follow her on Twitter @smlcoello.