Another 42 deaths were attributed to the new coronavirus on Wednesday, bringing the number of victims in Palmetto state to nearly 5,000 people, state health officials said.
At the same time, the state Department of Health and Environmental Control noted that more than 31 percent of the 7,391 test results released on Wednesday were positive. Health officials generally like to see positive results at 5% or less to show that the pandemic is easing.
Meanwhile, intensive care hospital beds in Lowcountry are 74% occupied, according to the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The ICU at Medical University Hosptial is 85% full, the data show. Statewide. The ICU beds are 81% occupied; this is higher than the national average of 78 percent.
State figures
New cases reported: 2,323, which is 1,370 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: 280,024, plus 23,451 probable cases
New deaths reported: 42
Total deaths in SC: 4,846 confirmed, 403 probable
Total tests in SC: 3,630,037
Hospitalized patients: 2,001
Percentage of positive tests, average of seven days: 23.5 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
South Carolina’s top counties for new coronavirus cases announced on Monday were Greenville, 429; Richland, 192; and Spartanburg, 149.
What about the tri-county?
Charleston County had 81 new cases; Berkeley, 46; and Dorchester, 42.
No new deaths in three counties were reported on Wednesday.
Deaths
Of the 42 new deaths, 33 were 65 or older. They lived in Beaufort, Darlington, Fairfield, Greenville, Greenwood, Horry, Lancaster, Lexington, Pickens and Spartanburg counties.
Eight patients aged 35 to 64 died. They lived in the counties of Barnwell, Dillon, Florence and Spartanburg.
A resident of Florence County, aged 18 to 34, died.
Hospitalizations
Of the 2,001 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 on Wednesday, 393 were in intensive care and 198 were on ventilators.
What do the experts say?
Reiterating her concerns, Dr. Linda Bell, the state’s epidemiologist, warned of a possible increase in coronavirus cases if Southern Carolinians participate in New Year’s celebrations and meetings instead of staying at home.
“I think it’s fair to say that many of us are eager to leave 2020 – the year that has cost so many of us so much – behind,” said Bell. “But I join public health officials across the country and the world to warn that New Year’s Eve celebrations can be devastating. The safest way to celebrate, as it has been during this holiday season, is to stay in In a year that has been filled with sadness, loss and frustration, we cannot give up now. We must maintain our vigilance until 2021. “
For more information on precautions, how to get tested, the vaccine and other coronavirus topics, visit scdhec.gov/COVID19.
