On Tuesday, Charleston prepared to join the country in mourning for the Americans who died after receiving COVID-19.
Churches across the Holy City planned to ring their bells in honor of the victims, and city leaders said they would light up the City Hall at 5:30 pm
As of Tuesday afternoon, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had confirmed 394,495 deaths from coronavirus. More than 5,600 of them have left lives behind in South Carolina.
State figures
New cases reported: 2,570, which is 1,527 percent higher than the 158 registered on March 31, the day Governor Henry McMaster ordered the closing of non-essential deals.
Total cases in SC: 357,508, plus 36,810 probable cases
New reported deaths: 11
Total deaths in SC: 5,673 confirmed, 586 likely
Total tests in SC: 4,402,976
Hospitalized patients: 2,353
Percentage of positive tests, average of seven days: 23.3 percent. Five percent or less of the tests with positive results is a good sign that the spread of the virus is slowing, say the researchers.
Most affected areas
According to DHEC data, the top counties for new coronavirus cases reported on Tuesday were Greenville, 296; Spartanburg, 202; and York, 172.
How about tri-county?
On Tuesday, Charleston County reported 127 new cases, while Berkeley had 58 and Dorchester registered 90.
Medical University of South Carolina will offer tests in the new Charleston International Airport parking lot from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Deaths
Each of the 11 new victims DHEC confirmed on Tuesday was at least 65 years old.
They lived in Aiken, Berkeley, Charleston, Florence, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg and Richland counties.
Hospitalizations
Of the 2,353 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 on Tuesday, 483 were in intensive care and 313 were on ventilators.
About 80% of the intensive care beds declared in the state are occupied.
What do the experts say?
The authorities continue to urge Southern Carolinians to take precautions such as the use of masks or other facial coverings, social distance and frequent hand washing.
They also recommend that anyone who believes they have been exposed to the virus or are developing symptoms get tested. Those who live in the community or cannot socially distance themselves should be tested monthly, DHEC advised.
Go to scdhec.gov/findatest to find a test site in your area.
Reach Thomas Novelly at 843-937-5713. Follow him @TomNovelly on Twitter.