South Carolina is close to confirming 450,000 cases of the coronavirus in nearly six million tests conducted across the state since the pandemic began.
The backlog of new cases has declined in recent weeks, after an increase in early January.
As of February 26, the state recorded just over 7,500 COVID-19-related deaths, according to the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control.
State figures
New cases reported: 1,197 confirmed, 258 probable.
Total cases in SC: 444,207 confirmed, 72,616 probable.
Positive percentage: 7 percent.
New deaths reported: 35 confirmed, 14 probable.
Total deaths in SC: 7,578 confirmed, 968 probable.
Percentage of ICU beds occupied: 72 percent.
How does SC rank in vaccines administered by 100,000 people?
44 as of February 27, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Most affected areas
In the total number of new confirmed cases, Greenville County (173), Richland County (103) and York County (84) saw the highest totals.
What about the tri-county?
Charleston County had 78 new cases on February 28, while Berkeley County had 34 and Dorchester County 37.
Deaths
Seven of the recently confirmed deaths were patients aged 35 to 64, and the rest were patients aged 65 and over.
Hospitalizations
Of the 769 COVID-19 patients hospitalized on February 28, 203 were in the ICU and 97 were using ventilators.
What do the experts say?
The Food and Drug Administration recommended the authorization of a third COVID-19 vaccine on February 26, a move that could dramatically increase distribution across the country.
The Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine is the first to work in a single dose and does not require special refrigeration. The FDA vaccine advisory committee voted unanimously to recommend the vaccine to adults.
Talk to Fleming Smith at 843-937-5591. Follow her on Twitter at @MFlemingSmith.