The Department of Health and Environmental Control of SC expects the next phase of vaccination across the state to be the largest.
Phase 1B contains essential workers, including teachers. But Dr. Michael Kacka, DHEC’s medical director for COVID-19, said at a news conference on February 5 that the agency is unsure when this phase will begin because of uncertainty about the vaccine supply.
DHEC is making decisions about the priorities of the COVID-19 vaccine based on high-risk factors, rather than which groups are the most essential. The agency said it will continue to ensure that high-risk populations are immunized first due to limited vaccine supplies.
The first phase of vaccines was aimed at health professionals and the elderly in the state. Vaccines should be open to all residents by fall, according to DHEC.
“We ask those who are currently not eligible to receive the vaccine to do their part in the fight against COVID-19, following the guidance of public health officials and not jumping in front of others to receive their COVID-19 vaccine in advance,” he said. Nick Davidson, senior public health representative for DHEC.
It is estimated that 1.3 million South Carolinians fall into the Phase 1A category. And approximately 373,000 people have already been vaccinated, said Davidson.
About 1,300 professors and staff at Clemson University are currently qualified to receive the vaccine, and another 5,000 qualify for Phase 1B.
The university reported a 1.9 percent COVID-19 positivity rate for students and a slightly lower 1.4 percent positivity rate for employees in tests from late December to February 1, the Board of Trustees was informed at a meeting on February 5. the latest data comes from approximately 82,000 tests given to students, teachers and staff so far in the spring semester. As of February 5, 79 students were quarantined, with 44 of them using part of Clemson’s 800 designated isolation spaces.
5,160,589 tests have already been carried out in the state and the total number of positive cases exceeds 400,000, according to DHEC.
State figures
New cases reported: 2,745.
Total cases in SC: 405,787 confirmed, 51,187 probable.
New reported deaths: 54 confirmed, 13 likely.
Total deaths in SC: 6,770 confirmed, 783 probable.
Percentage of ICU beds occupied: 81.8 percent.
How does SC rank in vaccines administered by 100,000 people? 33 as of February 4, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Most affected areas
The three counties with the highest level of cases for their populations are Pickens and Greenville in Upstate and Dillon County in Pee Dee, according to DHEC.
What about the tri-county?
Charleston County had 166 new cases on February 5, while Berkeley counted 111 and Dorchester, 93.
Deaths
Forty-two of the 54 new confirmed deaths reported on February 5 were patients aged 65 and over, and the rest were aged 35 to 64 or were not identified.
Hospitalizations
Of the 1,637 COVID-19 patients hospitalized on February 5, 386 were in the ICU and 232 were using ventilators.
What do the experts say?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourage people to continue wearing a mask, avoid crowds, stay 1.8 meters away from others and avoid poorly ventilated spaces. Dr. Linda Bell, DHEC’s chief epidemiologist, said that now is not the time to relax these preventive measures.
It is recommended that people living in the community get tested for COVID-19 once a month or earlier if they develop symptoms or live with someone who is positive for the virus.
DHEC’s COVID-19 test sites are available throughout the state. Visit scdhec.gov/FindATest to find a location nearby.
Natalie Walters contributed to this Greenville report.