With the end of the holidays, South Carolina hospitals cared for nearly 2,000 patients with COVID-19.
On Saturday, the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control released the first coronavirus data of the year, showing that 1,994 coronavirus patients were hospitalized across the state on Friday night.
The latest figures also include 84 more confirmed deaths, bringing the count to 5,000 South Carolina residents who have died of the virus since the pandemic began.
New cases reported: 4,219, which is 2,570 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: 283,424, plus 24,942 probable cases
New deaths reported: 84
Total deaths in SC: 4,968 confirmed, 317 probable
Total tests in SC: 3,703,632
Hospitalized patients: 1,994
Percentage of positive tests, average of 7 days: 29.7 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 Saturday were Greenville, 846; York, 397; and Pickens, 258.
What about the tri-county?
Charleston County had 180 new cases; Berkeley, 75; and Dorchester, 103.
Deaths
Thirteen of the 84 deaths reported on Saturday were from patients aged 35 to 64, and the remainder were 65 or older.
They lived in Aiken, Anderson, Beaufort, Berkeley, Cherokee, Colleton, Darlington, Dillon, Dorchester, Florence, Georgetown, Greenville, Greenwood, Horry, Kershaw, Lancaster, Laurens, Lexington, Marion, Marlboro, Newberry, Orangeburg, Pickens, Richland Spartanburg, Union and York counties.
Hospitalizations
Of the 1,994 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 on Saturday, 413 were in intensive care and 214 were on ventilators.
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.