South Carolina confirmed almost 3,000 other cases of COVID-19 on Monday, after surpassing 350,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus last week.
The state registered more than 50,000 new cases in less than two weeks. Monday’s report reflects Saturday’s data; reports are two days late since the holidays.
A record number of new cases were recorded in the first two weeks of January. The SC Department of Health and Environmental Control resolved a systems issue on Saturday that kept data incomplete last week, and authorities reported late that on January 8 the state set a daily record of 6,924 new cases of COVID-19, a substantial increase from previous records.
Just over half of South Carolina’s vaccine stock has so far been used, according to DHEC. Of the total 313,000 doses received by the state, 158,232 were administered until Saturday morning.
Publix is working with DHEC to distribute COVID-19 vaccines to 42 of its pharmacies across the state. Vaccines are provided by appointment only. Qualified people can schedule appointments starting on Tuesday using the online booking system at publix.com/covidvaccine, with administration starting on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, it has been announced that the city of Charleston will participate in a national memorial to honor the nearly 400,000 American lives lost in the ongoing pandemic. At 5:30 pm on Tuesday, Charleston City Hall will light up and churches across the city will ring their bells.
State figures
New cases reported: 2,946, 1,765 percent higher than the 158 registered on March 31, the day Governor Henry McMaster ordered the closure of non-essential deals.
Total cases in SC: 354,895, plus 36,569 probable cases
New reported deaths: 8
Total deaths in SC: 5,662 confirmed, 586 likely
Total tests in SC: 4,370,454
Hospitalized patients: 2,342
Percentage of positive tests, average of seven days: 23 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 Monday were Greenville, 387; Richland, 211; and York, 199.
How about tri-county?
On Monday, Charleston County reported 184 new cases, while Berkeley registered 75 and Dorchester reported 70.
Deaths
Of the eight deaths from coronavirus that DHEC confirmed on Monday, two were middle-aged patients between the ages of 35 and 64, and the rest were at least 65 years old.
They lived in Calhoun, Dorchester, Horry, Orangeburg, Richland and Williamsburg counties.
Hospitalizations
Of 2,342 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 on Monday, 478 were in intensive care and 317 on ventilators.
About 80% of the intensive care beds declared in the state are occupied.
What do the experts say?
The authorities continue to urge Southern Carolinians to take precautions such as the use of masks or other facial coverings, social distance and frequent hand washing.
They also recommend that anyone who believes they have been exposed to the virus or 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.
Reach Thomas Novelly at 843-937-5713. Follow him @TomNovelly on Twitter.