note: The coronavirus outbreak is a rapidly developing event and this story contains information that has only been updated through August 16, 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, independentmail.com. or goupstate.com.
Map of coronavirus SC: An analysis of COVID-19 cases by county and postal code
Weekly case averages continue to drop in northern counties
The state Department of Health and Environmental Control announced 537 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 9 additional confirmed deaths on Sunday.
In total, South Carolina saw 105,466 confirmed cases and 2,165 confirmed deaths, according to DHEC.
The positive percentage rate was 11% lower than in recent days, the daily statement said.
Although the daily case count has been lower in recent weeks, test data has also declined, according to DHEC. On Saturday, about 4,800 tests were performed. A week ago, the daily test count ranged from 6,000 to 8,000 tests per day.
Greenville County’s 7-day average this week was about 45 new cases per day. A month ago, Greenville’s average was 136 new cases per day, according to a DHEC data analysis. Across the state’s interior, weekly case averages have been dropping since mid-July.
Here is Sunday’s breakdown of the county:
- Anderson: 7 confirmed cases
- Greenville: 14 confirmed cases
- Oconee: 5 confirmed cases
- Pickens: 6 confirmed cases
- Spartanburg: 29 confirmed cases
DHEC approaches 1 million COVID-19 tests
The state Department of Health and Environment Control announced 986 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 51 deaths on Saturday.
DHEC also announced a further 22 probable cases and six probable deaths. Earlier this week, the numbers of the tweeted DHEC tests dropped compared to previous months.
As of Friday, 922,143 tests have been carried out in South Carolina. The positive percentage rate was about 16%, according to the daily release.
Here are the county-specific case data:
- Anderson: 51 new cases
- Greenville: 44 new cases
- Pickens: 15 new cases
- Oconee: 8 new cases
- Spartanburg: 32 new cases
More information on test and projection data can be found here.
Autumn sports from NGU and Erskine postponed until spring
The NCAA Division II conference, which includes North Greenville University and Erskine College, postponed autumn sports until spring, according to a statement.
The Carolinas Conference includes 11 schools in the southeast and is based in Greenville.
The conference does not sponsor football, so the delay does not affect these teams.
Volleyball, cross country and football will have championship games with a reduced audience in the spring.
Basketball decisions will be decided later.
“When we first announced in late July that our goal was to continue the intercollegiate competition in the fall, we fully intended to do so,” said Conference Commissioner Chris Colvin.
“Unfortunately, the situation has evolved to the point that this decision has to be made to protect our student-athletes and our institutions.”
The announcement came in the wake of the cancellation of all Division II championships for autumn sports by the NCAA.
Clemson puts data from campus COVID-19 case tracker
Clemson University has announced that it will keep updated COVID-19 test data available to the public online. At this time, the information – which will be updated every Friday – reflects the number of tests applied to teachers, staff and students and the number of positive tests. The university says it will soon provide more information about tracking COVID-19 cases on campus.
DHEC reports over 1,000 new cases
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control announced on Friday that 1,015 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and another 16 confirmed deaths have been reported.
The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in South Carolina has reached 103,880 and the number of deaths is 2,106.
According to an agency statement, the total number of test results that were reported to DHEC across the state on Thursday was 6,763 with 15% testing positive for the virus.
Largest church in SC reopening on August 23
One of South Carolina’s largest churches, NewSpring, is opening its 14 campuses on August 23.
With more than 20,000 church members, this may be the largest individual reopening in the state and occurs at a time when reported coronavirus infection and the number of deaths are decreasing in the state.
“We understand that people have varying levels of comfort when it comes to being around other people,” said Suzanne Swift, a church spokeswoman.
Many of the campuses will open for two services on August 23 at 9:15 am and 11:15 am. Online services will continue for those who are not ready for personal service, said Swift.
Read the full story here
Mask distribution at the Greenville Convention Center
The city of Greenville will host its fourth mask distribution event for local businesses on Wednesday, August 19, from 8 am to 12 pm, at the Greenville Convention Center.
The mask will be removed in a drive-thru at the entrance of Tower Drive and Exposition Drive (near the airport in the center). Companies will be limited to 100 masks each, while supplies last.
Spearman tries to defuse teachers’ fears at Thursday’s city hall
About 3,000 educators from across the state tuned in to hear and ask questions about the reopening of schools for South Carolina superintendent Molly Spearman during a conference call Thursday night.
The questions ranged from how a kindergarten teacher in Lowcountry can manage face-to-face and virtual teaching, to what can be done by teachers with more than 40 students in a classroom, while COVID-19 is tall throughout the state.
“I know that we are asking for a huge number of teachers and I know that all of you always come forward and do what you are asked,” said Spearman, before telling the kindergarten teacher to work with her principal to monitor the effectiveness of the teaching in person and virtually.
Read the full story here