As South Carolina frontline officials start vaccinating against COVID-19 and the number of cases skyrockets, travelers flying through the pandemic can take quick tests at Charleston International Airport.
While the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control has urged people to stay home for the holidays, experts say the tests can help mitigate the potential for dissemination for those who choose to go anyway.
The Medical University of South Carolina will conduct rapid nasal swab tests in the new airport parking lot, from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm, from Tuesday to Thursday. Travelers must register in advance at iflychs.saferstart.net.
State figures
New cases reported: 2,303, which is 1,358 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: 239,119, plus 18,201 probable cases
New deaths reported: 4
Total deaths in SC: 4,402 confirmed, 354 probable
Total tests in SC: 3,153,581
Hospitalized patients: 1,046
Percentage of positive tests, average of seven days: 20.7 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
South Carolina’s top counties for new coronavirus cases reported on Tuesday were Greenville, 437; Spartanburg, 210; and York, 209.
What about the tri-county?
Charleston County had 62 new cases; Berkeley, 25; and Dorchester, 27.
Deaths
Each of the four deaths reported on Tuesday was from a patient aged 65 or older. They lived in Anderson, Lexington, Richland and Sumter counties.
Hospitalizations
Of the 1,046 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 on Tuesday, 261 were in intensive care and 111 were on ventilators.
What about long-term care facilities?
There were 12,998 confirmed cases of coronavirus in nursing homes and assisted living facilities: 8,275 residents and 4,723 employees, according to DHEC data. This is a 9% increase in cases over two weeks.
So far, 1,589 residents have died from the virus, a 19 percent death rate. Twenty-six workers also died. Together, they account for 37 percent of deaths in the state, the data released on Tuesday show.
Of the 685 installations monitored by DHEC, the virus was found in 430. There are active outbreaks in 182 of them – an increase of 36% in two weeks.
Some type of visitation – internal, external or both – is allowed in 405 installations; 250 do not allow; and 30 did not report.
What do the experts say?
The authorities continue to urge Southern Carolinians to take precautions such as wearing masks or other facial covers, social distance and frequent hand washing.
They also recommend that anyone who believes they have been exposed to the virus or who are developing symptoms get tested. Those who live in the community or cannot distance themselves socially should be tested monthly, DHEC advised.
Go to scdhec.gov/findatest to find a test site in your area.
Talk to Sara Coello at 843-937-5705 and follow her on Twitter @smlcoello.