On February 6, another 52 people died of COVID-19 in South Carolina and an additional 2,000 positive patients were detected, as the state begins to grow beyond 400,000 confirmed cases of the deadly virus.
Meanwhile, the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control said the next statewide vaccination phase will be the largest.
Phase 1b includes essential workers, including teachers. But Dr. Michael Kacka, DHEC’s medical director for COVID-19, said at a news conference on February 5 that the agency is unsure when this phase will begin, due to uncertainty about the vaccine supply.
DHEC is making decisions about the priorities of the COVID-19 vaccine based on high-risk factors, rather than which groups are the most essential. The agency said it will continue to ensure that high-risk populations are immunized first due to limited vaccine supplies.
The first phase of vaccines was aimed at health professionals and the elderly in the state. Vaccines should be open to all residents by fall, according to DHEC.
“We ask those who are currently not eligible to receive the vaccine to do their part in the fight against COVID-19, following the guidance of public health officials and not jumping in front of others to receive their COVID-19 vaccine in advance,” he said. Nick Davidson, senior public health representative for DHEC.
It is estimated that 1.3 million South Carolinians fall into the Phase 1a category. And approximately 373,000 people have been vaccinated, said Davidson.
As of February 6, a total of 5.2 million tests have been carried out in the state, and the total number of positive cases exceeds 410,000, according to DHEC.
State figures
New cases reported: 1,925.
Total cases in SC: 410,639 confirmed, 52,342 probable.
New reported deaths: 52 confirmed, 11 likely.
Total deaths in SC: 6,816 confirmed, 795 probable.
Percentage of ICU beds occupied: 78.38 percent.
How does SC rank in vaccines administered by 100,000 people? 33 as of February 4, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Most affected areas
The three counties with the highest case rates for their populations are Greenville, Charleston and Richland, according to DHEC.
What about the tri-county?
Charleston County had 173 new cases on February 6, while Berkeley counted 60 and Dorchester saw 67.
Deaths
Forty-five of the 52 new confirmed deaths reported on February 6 were patients aged 65 and over, and the rest were between 35 and 64 years old.
Hospitalizations
Of the 1,600 COVID-19 patients hospitalized on February 6, 371 were in the ICU and 224 were using ventilators.
What do the experts say?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourage people to continue wearing a mask, avoid crowds, stay 1.8 meters away from others and avoid poorly ventilated spaces. Dr. Linda Bell, DHEC’s chief epidemiologist, said that now is not the time to relax these preventive measures.
It is recommended that people living in the community get tested for COVID-19 once a month or earlier if they develop symptoms or live with someone who is positive for the virus.
DHEC’s COVID-19 test sites are available throughout the state. Visit scdhec.gov/FindATest to find a location nearby.
Reach Thomas Novelly at 843-937-5713. Follow him @TomNovelly on Twitter.