Just over 500 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed in South Carolina on March 14.
The number of new cases, along with hospitalizations, has declined in recent weeks, as the state’s vaccination campaign continues.
The percentage of positive tests for the virus remains below 5%, which the researchers said is a good indication that the spread of the virus is slowing.
State figures
New cases reported: 502 confirmed, 124 probable.
Total cases in SC: 454,683 confirmed, 78,738 probable.
Positive percentage: 4.6 percent.
New reported deaths: 6 confirmed, 0 likely.
Total deaths in SC: 7,849 confirmed, 1,026 probable.
Percentage of ICU beds occupied: 70.2 percent.
How does SC rank in vaccines administered by 100,000 people?
44 of March 13, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Most affected areas
The highest totals of new confirmed cases were in Greenville (69), Charleston (52) and Horry (51) counties.
What about the tri-county?
Charleston County had 52 new cases on March 14, while Berkeley counted 19 and Dorchester 17.
Deaths
Two of the new confirmed deaths reported occurred among people aged 35 to 64, and the rest were patients aged 65 and over.
Hospitalizations
Of the 597 patients with COVID-19 hospitalized on March 14, 159 were in the ICU and 64 were using ventilators.
What do the experts say?
South Carolina health professionals said that in order to beat COVID-19, people must get the vaccine when it is their turn.
Efforts to make vaccines available to all South Carolina residents are underway.
The CDC said that those who received the COVID-19 vaccine should wait at least 14 days before receiving any other vaccine, including for influenza or herpes zoster. People who receive another vaccine first must wait the same amount of time before receiving the coronavirus injection.
More information can be found at scdhec.gov/vaxfacts.
Talk to Fleming Smith at 843-937-5591. Follow her on Twitter at @MFlemingSmith.