With just over 5,200 coronavirus test results announced on Thursday, the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control recorded its lowest rate of positive results since the beginning of June: 8.1%.
Although the positive percentage fluctuates daily, along with new cases and tests, it is the statistic that health officials quote to determine what portion of untested residents may also have the virus.
Thursday’s positive test percentage was the lowest rate recorded since June 4, and the state’s seven-day moving average of 13.9 percent positive marks a slight drop since the beginning of August.
The 424 positive cases on Thursday were the lowest since June 6, down 25 percent from just two weeks ago.
However, the number of tests carried out, 5,234, also fell 16 percent from two weeks ago.
DHEC has scheduled 241 mobile test clinics by October 17. Residents can visit scdhec.gov/covid19testing for information on how to test at a mobile clinic or at one of the 223 permanent COVID-19 test facilities.
State figures
New cases reported: 424
Total cases in SC: 113,107, plus 1,491 probable cases
New reported deaths: 42
Total deaths in SC: 2,494 plus 134 probable deaths
Hospitalized patients: 1,006
Percentage of positive tests: 8.1 percent
Total tests in SC: 980,834
Most affected areas
Richland County had the highest number of new daily cases in the state, 71, according to DHEC. Horry County came next with 47, while Charleston and York counties reported 22 each.
How about tri-county?
Charleston County had 22 new cases, while Berkeley reported 15 and Dorchester counted 10, DHEC said.
One death in each Charleston and Dorchester county was reported on Thursday.
Deaths
In addition to the 42 confirmed deaths, DHEC is investigating another 14 that were possibly caused by COVID-19.
One victim was between 18 and 34 years old, eight between 35 and 64 years old and 33 were 65 or older. They were from Anderson, Barnwell, Beaufort, Charleston, Chester, Chesterfield, Colleton, Dorchester, Fairfield, Florence, Greenville, Greenwood, Lexington, Lancaster, Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland, Saluda, Spartanburg, Sumter, Williamsburg and York counties.
Hospitalizations
DHEC reported that 1,006 patients with COVID-19 were hospitalized on Thursday. Of these, 144 were on ventilators and 262 were in intensive care.
What do the experts say?
The authorities continue to urge the South Carolina to avoid staying indoors or less than 2 meters from people without a mask. Several municipalities formalized the request with local ordinances.
Talk to Sara Coello at 843-937-5705 and follow her on Twitter @smlcoello.