With about one in 10 people in South Carolina now vaccinated, one of the clearest divisions between those who received an injection in the arm and those who did not are men and women.
About 60 percent of people who have received at least one dose are women, according to data released on February 15 by the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Dr. Divya Ahuja, an infectious doctor and a member of the state’s vaccine advisory committee, said during a weekly meeting that most of the difference can be attributed to the fact that the majority of the health workforce is made up of women. Health professionals were among the first to be eligible for the vaccine.
Women also represent a larger share of the population living in nursing homes, who were also in the first group of eligibility for the vaccine.
But he said that also does not explain the full picture.
“Women tend to have access to care much more freely and voluntarily than men,” said Ahuja.
State figures
New cases reported: 655 confirmed, 237 probable.
Total cases in SC: 429,494 confirmed, 62,875 probable.
Positive percentage: 9.1 percent.
New deaths reported: 50 confirmed, 12 likely.
Total deaths in SC: 7,248 confirmed, 869 probable.
Percentage of ICU beds occupied: 76 percent.
How does SC rank in vaccines administered by 100,000 people?
44, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Most affected areas
In the total number of new confirmed cases, Greenville (76), Horry (68) and Richland (49) counties saw the highest totals.
What about the tri-county?
Charleston County had 43 new cases on February 17, while Berkeley counted 24 and Dorchester saw 22.
Deaths
Of the 50 new confirmed deaths reported, 13 occurred in people aged 35 to 64; the rest were among people aged 65 and over.
Hospitalizations
Of the 1,205 COVID-19 patients hospitalized on February 17, 278 were in the ICU and 162 were using ventilators.
What do the experts say?
If you are not a teacher, age 65 or older, a health professional, or a long-term resident, it may take a few months before you qualify for a vaccine in South Carolina.
Dr. Linda Bell, the state’s chief epidemiologist, said during a February 17 meeting that the state is unlikely to move on to the next phase of eligibility “by the end of March or April, so we’re talking about spring before of the transition. “
Bell’s estimate was based on current weekly vaccine shipments to the state.
Catch up Mary Katherine Wildeman at 843-607-4312. Follow her on Twitter @mkwildeman.