More than a third of the results of the coronavirus tests that South Carolina announced on Thursday were positive, with 3,935 new cases confirmed.
With 34.4 percent positive, it is the highest rate the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control has recorded since it began reporting test data, according to records maintained by the Post and Courier.
Last week, an average of 32.2 percent of the results were positive, and experts fear that the increase in numbers may continue for several weeks while asymptomatic people involuntarily infect each other.
State figures
New cases reported: 3,935, which is 2,391 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: 310,246, plus 27,866 probable cases
New reported deaths: 51
Total deaths in SC: 5,189 confirmed, 472 likely
Total tests in SC: 3,856,645
Hospitalized patients: 2,425
Percentage of positive tests, average of seven days: 32.2 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
According to DHEC data, the main counties for new coronavirus cases reported on Thursday were Greenville, 662; Lexington, 391; and Richland, 282.
How about tri-county?
Charleston County had 255 new cases; Berkeley, 121; and Dorchester, 124.
Deaths
Eight of the 51 deaths reported on Thursday were patients between the ages of 35 and 64 and one between 18 and 34 years old. The rest were 65 or older.
They lived in Aiken, Anderson, Charleston, Cherokee, Chester, Clarendon, Darlington, Dillon, Dorchester, Florence, Greenville, Greenwood, Horry, Kershaw, Lancaster, Laurens, Lexington, Oconee, Pickens, Richland, Spartanburg and Union counties.
Hospitalizations
Of the 2,425 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 on Thursday, 476 were in intensive care and 245 were on ventilators.
What do the experts say?
The authorities continue to urge Southern Carolinians to take precautions, such as wearing masks or other face coverings, 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 distance themselves socially 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.