| The Greenville News & Independent Mail
note: The coronavirus outbreak is a rapidly developing event and this story contains information that has only been updated through April 27, 2020. Some of the information here may have changed due to the nature of the pandemic; updates are reflected in more current stories. For news about the coronavirus outbreak and its impact in South Carolina, visit greenvillenews.com or independentmail.com.
Map SC COVID-19: County by county study in coronavirus cases
Coronavirus news: Empyrean re-openings in Carolina del Sur
Full coverage: Everything you need to know about coronavirus in South Carolina
COVID-19 could complicate budgets for local governments
The uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic will make it difficult for South Carolina cities and counties to approve budgets and set tax rates ahead of a few weeks.
The coronavirus has affected the revenue forecasts used to create budgets and can pose a challenge for holding necessary public hearings.
Read the full story.
Extended state of emergency
Governor Henry McMaster extended South Carolina’s state of emergency order on Monday to mid-May.
The extension allows McMaster to continue issuing executive orders while the state responds to the coronavirus pandemic. McMaster has started facilitating orders for some businesses and outdoor recreation, while keeping others – including a home stay request – in place.
Read the full story.
State elections will be held as planned, some local elections postponed
The June 9 and June 23 primaries are set to continue, and voting options will remain the same, according to the South Carolina Election Commission.
People who are eligible to vote absent should do so as soon as possible. Voting in person absent from county electoral registries begins on May 4. To qualify for an absentee vote, a person must be 65 or older, have a disability, or be caring for a sick or disabled person.
Voting managers will be trained on social detachment and hygiene at polling places. Some polling stations will be relocated or consolidated due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to the commission.
Also on Monday, the Electoral Commission announced that several local elections scheduled for May have been postponed.
The postponed elections:
Previously scheduled for May 5
- Lancaster School Board Special Elections
- Newberry City Council Special Election
Previously scheduled for May 12
- Ware Shoals School Board General Elections
- Windsor City General Elections
- Bonneau city general elections
- Hanahan City Special Elections
- Chester City Special Elections
- Special election of Lamar city council
- School board general elections ninety-six
- Spartanburg metropolitan district general elections B Water and Sewage
142 new cases, 3 deaths reported Monday
State health officials said on Monday that another 142 people tested positive for COVID-19 and reported that three more people died from the disease.
Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, 5,613 people tested positive for COVID-19 and 177 people have died in South Carolina.
On Monday, 44 new cases were recorded in Greenville County. The increase was caused when a private laboratory presented a month-long history of positive test results last weekend to the Department of Health and Environmental Control.
SC Air National Guard flies over hospitals across the state
The SC’s 169th Fighter Wing of the National Air Guard flew over hospitals across the state on Monday as a token of appreciation for those fighting the COVID-19.
SC received billions in federal aid
White House information shows that South Carolina has received billions of dollars in federal aid, as well as medical equipment in response to COVID-19.
Includes:
- $ 70.3 million committed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to South Carolina
- Hundreds of thousands of medical supplies, including about 150,000 N-95 masks, 355,500 surgical masks, 301,500 gloves, as well as thousands of face shields, medical scrubs and overalls
- $ 622.8 million from the Department of Health and Human Services
- $ 3.8 billion in Small Business Administration loans
- $ 2.4 billion in over 1.3 million economic impact payments to qualified people in South Carolina
- $ 123.6 million from the Federal Transit Administration for public transport systems
- $ 35.2 million from the United States Department of Housing and Urban through the CARES Act for grantees in South Carolina
US $ 4.6 million released in unemployment benefits
The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce released $ 4.6 million to eligible applicants under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program.
Assistance requests can be completed online.
Clemson cancels athletic and academic summer camps
Clemson University announced all in-person academic and sports camps during the summer amid the coronavirus pandemic. The university said it was canceling summer events to put the school “in the strongest possible position to support our students and the long-term success of our university,” says an email sent to students and staff.
Off-campus programming and athletic conditioning and practices have not yet been canceled, but the university is monitoring whether these programs will continue. All university events across the state are suspended until May 8, the email said.
The university is planning to fully reopen the facilities, which have been closed since mid-March, the email said. The reopening will be done in a phased approach and with federal and state guidelines in mind, the email said.
In a presentation to the board of trustees last week, Police Chief Greg Mullen said the university is planning a variety of reopening plans for the fall semester, including a “laser focus” on returning to face-to-face operations.
Governor McMaster will attend the AccelerateSC meeting
Governor McMaster and Lt. Governor Pamela Evette will attend the first meeting of the AccelerateSC governance component today.
AccelerateSC is a COVID-19 advisory team working on recommendations for an economic revitalization plan for South Carolina in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.
The team consists of five components, including governance.
Today’s meeting will be held from 2 pm to 4 pm at the University of South Carolina Alumni Center and will be broadcast live.
The live broadcast can be seen here.
Greer CPW promises another $ 25k for Greer Relief
Greer CPW is pledging another $ 25,000 donation to support Greer Relief. The announcement comes just over a month after Greer CPW’s previous $ 25,000 for Greer Relief.
Greer Relief works to prevent hunger and homelessness in the Greer metropolitan area, in addition to providing assistance to people who cannot pay their bills.
According to a statement from Greer CPW, the donation will be earmarked specifically to help assist public services.
Governor McMaster to renew state of emergency in SC
Governor Henry McMaster is due to declare a new state of emergency on Monday in relation to the coronavirus pandemic, as the governor’s previous statement is due to expire at midnight, according to Brian Symmes, director of communications for the governor’s office.
Symmes said that all other current executive orders, including the order to stay at home or work, will remain in effect until the governor rescinds them.
The governor can rescind orders individually if he wants, Symmes said.
Wheeled meals feeding the needy this week
Meals on Wheels of Anderson is working with Southern Way Catering and a private donor to feed elderly people in need during the week of April 26, according to a statement from the organization.
The team hopes to provide 5,000 meals a week to seniors in the Anderson area as part of a six-week initiative.
Meals will be available for the elderly (60 years or older). Those who take meals must be in that age group or bring a meal to someone in that age group. They must also be residents of Anderson County and will be asked to provide their name, address and telephone number at the time of collection. Two meal packages per car are allowed. That is a total of 10 individual meals. Individuals can only do one collection per week.
Here’s where to pick up meals this week:
Tuesday, April 28 from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Anderson Civic Center, 3027 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Anderson, South Carolina
Tuesday, April 28 from 1 pm to 2:30 pm
Pendleton First Baptist, 351 S. Broad Street, Pendleton, South Carolina
Thursday, April 30, from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Homeland Park Water Company, 3231 DL Drive, Anderson, South Carolina
Thursday, April 30 from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm
Piedmont Shopping Center, 900 Anderson Street, Piedmont, South Carolina
Saturday, May 2, from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Belton Honea Path High School, 11000 Belton Honea Path Highway, Honea Path, South Carolina
Saturday, May 2, from 1 pm to 2:30 pm
Iva Town Square, 103 East Jackson Street, Iva, South Carolina
Fall for Greenville launches online resource to support suppliers
Bank of America Fall for Greenville has launched an online resource guide to help customers show support for local restaurants and breweries.
The guide highlights festival participants who are currently open and offering online orders, special menus and sidewalk pickup or delivery, according to a press release from the city of Greenville.
The online guide will continue to be updated, as restaurants and breweries have different menu or special offers. See the guide here.
Clemson University fears impact on coronavirus enrollment
Clemson University may be one of the largest universities in the state, but school officials say the coronavirus can have a big impact on enrollment and revenue.
Vice President of Finance and Facilities Tony Wagner presented Clemson’s financial perspective to the board of trustees last week and said the school is in a good position compared to other institutions – but the prospect of online learning and cancellation Fall sports can mean millions in lost revenue.
A recent study by the Wall Street Journal projects colleges across the country will see a 15% drop in enrollment in the fall. Clemson employees are monitoring these projections.
Read the story