While South Carolina is preparing to open coronavirus vaccine eligibility for adults across the state, more than 2.5 million doses have reached the state of Palmetto.
As of March 31, anyone aged 16 or over will be entitled to a vaccine in the state, regardless of health or employment conditions.
Until March 27, the State Department of Health and Environmental Control registered 2,537,380 doses received. Of these, 1,865,391 – almost 74 percent – were given to patients.
While Pfizer and Moderna each shipped more than one million doses, Palmetto State also received 72,000 doses from Johnson & Johnson. According to DHEC, more than 42,500 people received the only vaccine in the state.
State figures
New cases reported: 752 confirmed, 439 probable.
Total cases in SC: 462,954 confirmed, 85,160 probable.
Positive percentage: 4.8 percent.
New reported deaths: 11 confirmed, 2 probable.
Total deaths in SC: 8,042 confirmed, 1,062 probable.
Percentage of ICU beds occupied: 70 percent.
What is the classification of SC in vaccines administered by 100,000 people?
42nd on March 26, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Most affected areas
In the total number of new confirmed cases, Greenville County (126), Richland County (70) and Charleston County (56) saw the highest totals.
What about the tri-county?
Charleston County had 56 new cases on March 27, while Berkeley had 27 and Dorchester counted 29.
Deaths
Two of the new confirmed deaths reported occurred in people aged 35 to 64, and nine were patients aged 65 and over.
Hospitalizations
Of the 531 patients with COVID-19 admitted on March 27, 127 were in the ICU and 59 were using ventilators.
What do the experts say?
New CDC research suggests that anxiety and depression are increasing as the pandemic progresses.
The report found a significant increase in people who said they had recent symptoms of depression or anxiety disorder. In February, 42% of all adults reported experiencing symptoms, compared with 36% in August.
The results of the survey, published on March 26, found that the problem was especially acute in adults under the age of 30 and people under high school. Many of the people who said they were experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression also said that they had not received treatment for those feelings.
“One in four adults who experienced these symptoms reported that they needed it, but did not receive counseling or therapy for their mental health,” the researchers wrote.
To reach Mary Katherine Wildeman at 843-607-4312. Follow her on Twitter @mkwildeman.