| The Greenville News and Spartanburg Herald Journal
note: The coronavirus outbreak is a rapidly developing event and this story contains information that was only updated until June 26, 2020. Some of the information here may have changed due to the nature of the pandemic; updates are reflected in more current stories. For the latest news on the coronavirus outbreak and its impact in South Carolina, visit greenvillenews.com or independentmail.com.
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Increase in COVID-19 cases continues in SC and Greenville
The state Department of Health and Environmental Control reported 1,273 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Friday, the second highest daily total since the pandemic began. Of these new cases, 187 were reported in Greenville County.
The number of cases in South Carolina jumped 152% this month, to a current total of 30,623.
An additional death was reported on Friday, bringing the state total to 694.
DHEC also reported that 906 patients with COVID-19 are hospitalized, a new one-day record.
14 football players among 19 other Clemson athletes tested positive for COVID-19
Nineteen more Clemson student-athletes, including 14 football players, tested positive for the coronavirus, according to figures released by the university on Friday.
All 120 Tigers football players were tested, with 37, or 30.8 percent, with a positive result.
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Parent survey shows many in Greenville fear going back to school
Many families in Greenville County are afraid to send their children back to school in the fall, according to a survey by Greenville County Schools.
More than half – or about 55% – of the 27,786 respondents said they would not send their children back to school or were unsure whether they would. There are about 40,000 families and about 78,000 students in the Greenville County school district.
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Governor McMaster says SC has enough hospital beds
At a press conference at 4 pm on Friday, Governor Henry McMaster pleaded with the South Carolinians: “Wear your mask. Use your mask. Use your mask.”
He said concert halls, performing arts centers and spectator sports in South Carolina will remain closed until the state’s COVID-19 infection rate drops.
Despite the continued increase in patients with COVID-19, McMaster assured South Carolina residents that the state is not running out of hospital beds.
He also said he is instructing the state Department of Health and Environmental Control to develop a plan to resume visits to nursing homes and other long-term care institutions in South Carolina.
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Watch the full press conference on the video player below.
Spartanburg requires masks
The masks will be required in supermarkets and pharmacies in the city of Spartanburg starting at noon on Monday.
The Spartanburg City Council unanimously passed an emergency decree on the measure on Friday afternoon.
The ordinance, which also obliges all employees of restaurants and retailers in the city to wear masks, arises as the cases of COVID-19 continue to increase every day throughout the state, and after similar requests have already been issued in the cities of Greenville and Columbia.
“We are very encouraged, I think now we have to move on and approve something that requires it,” said city councilwoman Erica Brown.
Council members were divided over when this ordinance should go into effect. Councilwoman Meghan Smith suggested that this happen at 5 pm on Saturday, but councilman Jerome Rice made a motion for Monday at noon to give businesses and residents time to adjust to the requirements.
Masks to be distributed to local companies
The city of Greenville will distribute approximately 100,000 masks to local businesses on Tuesday from 8 am to 12 pm at the Greenville Convention Center.
The collection of the mask will be done in a drive-thru style at the entrance of Tower Drive and Exposition Drive, close to the airport in the city center. Companies will be limited to 100 masks each, while supplies last.
Mask recipients must sign the Greater Greenville Pledge. The promise is a commitment by companies to clean frequently, limit capacity, stimulate social distance, monitor employee health and stimulate facial coverage.
Clemson’s students will need to wear masks this fall
Anyone on the Clemson University campus this fall is expected to wear a face mask in most environments, the university announced on Friday.
The university will also require students and staff to test negative for coronavirus five days before arriving on campus. Anyone with a positive result will have to isolate themselves for 10 days.
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Artisphere has been canceled for 2020
The 16th annual Artisphere presented by TD Bank has been canceled for 2020. It was rescheduled from May to August 21-23, but festival organizers mentioned concerns about the health and safety of artists and patrons for the decision. Organizers will look for virtual platforms to present this year’s event.
“After months of careful deliberation, we feel that canceling the event is the right thing to do for our artists and sponsors,” said Linda Hannon, Artisphere’s chairman, in a press release. “Asking artists to travel across the country to Greenville is not prudent at this point and the social detachment protocols that we would like to implement to keep customers safe would restrict participation in the festival by 80%. It would not be the experience that Greenville residents and visitors expect from Artisphere. We are confident that this is the right decision for our organization. “
Details about a virtual experience will be available on the social media channels artisphere.org and Artisphere.
Clemson had 23 out of 120 football players tested positive
Although nearly one in five players on the Clemson football team tested positive for the coronavirus, the university does not believe that a recent demonstration organized by team members is to blame.
All 120 players on the Tigers player list were tested, with 23, or 19.2 percent, with positive results on Thursday.
Read the full story here
Many daycare centers can close permanently
The economic consequences of coronavirus can cause many daycare centers to close permanently.
But, this is not surprising for those in the industry.
“It has always been a weak and very vulnerable industry,” said Jamie Moon, president of the Institute for Child Success, a research and policy organization based in Greenville. “The pandemic only served to highlight this vulnerability, and it really is a shame, because it is a critical part of having a robust economy.”
Read the full story here
What to know Friday
- The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control announced 1,106 new confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state, as well as 8 additional deaths. Charleston County led the state with 208 new cases.
- With the increase in hospitalized patients battling the symptoms of COVID-19 in South Carolina, local health officials say they have burned a supply of blood plasma, which is being used in a clinical trial to increase patients’ ability to fight virus.
- South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson said on Wednesday that he believes Greenville and Columbia acted legally when cities passed emergency measures this week requiring people to wear masks in certain public places.
- Greenville County schools suspended athletic teams’ summer practices until the pandemic numbers improved and postponed academic recovery camps until at least July 20.
- In the complaints week that ended on June 20, 17,098 people filed their initial claim for unemployment insurance. This is a reduction of 2,268 initial complaints from the previous week.