Nearly 20,000 health professionals who care for South Carolina’s COVID-19 patients were vaccinated against the virus on Tuesday afternoon, state health officials said.
The SC Department of Health and Environmental Control said Palmetto State will receive a second round of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, with more than 30,000 doses for frontline employees at 15 facilities. The initial shipment included 42,900 doses.
DHEC expects CVS and Walgreens to begin vaccinating long-term care facilities through a federal program next week, starting with qualified nursing facilities. So far, DHEC has accounted for 13,577 cases and 1,642 deaths among employees and residents in these homes.
In addition, VA Medical Center Ralph H. Johnson began vaccinating frontline employees with the Modern COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday, just days after the US Food and Drug Administration authorized its use.
“We are looking forward to offering the Modern COVID-19 vaccine to our healthcare personnel and veterans living in our community center,” said Scott Isaacks, director and CEO of the medical center. “Receiving the vaccine is like having hope delivered. As the vaccine supply increases, our ultimate goal is to offer the COVID-19 vaccine to all veterans and employees who wish to be vaccinated.
New cases reported: 2,055, which is 1,201 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: 257,340, plus 20,523 probable cases
New deaths reported: 15
Total deaths in SC: 4,602 confirmed, 374 probable
Total tests in SC: 3,370,118
Hospitalized patients: 1,586
Percentage of positive tests, average of 7 days: 22.3 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 reported on Tuesday were Greenville, 291; Spartanburg, 242; and York, 142.
What about the tri-county?
Charleston County had 72 new cases; Berkeley, 30; and Dorchester, 35.
Deaths
Four of the 15 deaths reported on Tuesday were from patients aged 35 to 64, and the rest were 65 or older.
They lived in the counties of Charleston, Dillon, Florence, Horry, Jasper, Lancaster, Laurens, Orangeburg, Pickens, Sumter, Union and Williamsburg.
Hospitalizations
Of the 1,586 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 on Tuesday, 344 were in intensive care and 170 were on ventilators.
What about long-term care facilities?
There were 13,577 confirmed cases of coronavirus in nursing homes and assisted living facilities: 8,610 residents and 4,967 employees, according to DHEC data.
To date, 1,614 residents have died from the virus, along with 28 workers.
Of the 685 installations monitored by DHEC, the virus was found in 438. There are active outbreaks in 179 of them.
Some type of visitation – internal, external or both – is allowed in 386 installations; 251 do not allow; and 48 did not report.
What do the experts say?
The authorities continue to ask that Southern Carolinians take precautions, such as wearing masks or other facial covers, social distance and frequent hand washing.
They also recommend that anyone who believes they have been exposed to the virus or who are developing symptoms get tested. Those who live in the community or cannot socially distance themselves should be tested monthly, DHEC advised.
Go to scdhec.gov/findatest to find a test site in your area.
Talk to Sara Coello at 843-937-5705 and follow her on Twitter @smlcoello.