COLOMBIA, SC (WMBF) – Health officials say South Carolina may be entering a downturn as COVID-19 cases continue to rise across the state of Palmetto, particularly within the state.
“This increase is not unique to South Carolina, as cases are increasing nationally and in other countries,” said a press release from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.
At the end of October, there were almost 100,000 cases reported in one day in the United States, establishing new daily case records, according to health officials.
According to DHEC, several key indicators in South Carolina have seen an upward trend since August, including:
- Daily case rate per 100,000
- Positive percentage
- Hospitalizations for COVID-19
- Number of COVID-19 patients on ventilators
On Wednesday, 171,642 people were confirmed with COVID-19 in South Carolina since the pandemic began, and 3,728 died.
“The resurgence of cases and hospitalizations can have a profound impact on health systems, the economy and the functioning of schools and universities. Public health experts are asking residents to take action now, taking up again the daily precautions that help prevent the spread of this deadly virus, ”DHEC said in the note.
Health authorities continue to encourage Southern Carolinians to commit to the daily actions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to protect themselves and others from COVID-19, which include:
- Consistent and correct use of masks
- Social distancing
- Routine testing
- Hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette
- Frequent cleaning and disinfection
In addition, it is recommended that everyone aged six months or older be given the flu vaccine, with experts saying that this year’s flu vaccine may be “the most important flu vaccine of your life”.
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