Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Aug. 31
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Cases top 117,000
At least 117,333 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina and 2,588 have died, according to state officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Monday reported 651 new cases of COVID-19, a drop from 1,019 the day before. Both counts were down from 1,250 on Saturday, which broke a 13-day streak of fewer than 1,000 daily cases reported.
Officials on Monday also reported 12 additional coronavirus-related deaths.
Health officials have said fewer people getting tested for the virus is likely contributing to lower daily case counts. But reported tests jumped from fewer than 2,500 Wednesday to more than 6,000 Saturday — still below the roughly 10,000 daily tests in late July.
About 15.6% of tests reported Monday were positive, down from 21.5% Sunday and 20.5% the day before. The World Health Organization and state health officials recommend 5% or lower.
USC suspends students, Greek Life organizations
The University of South Carolina said Monday it has suspended several students and Greek Life organizations for violating COVID-19 rules.
Six fraternities and sororities and 15 students were suspended for “unauthorized parties or large gatherings in violation of local ordinances or violating quarantine,” the school said. It’s the first time the school has publicly said it’s punishing students or organizations for /violating rules designed to slow the spread of the virus.
It had previously places several sororities under quarantine.
The suspensions come as the number of cases at the university continues to increase following the return of students. More than 550 cases have been reported.
The school is offering walk-in testing to students for a couple hours Monday through Friday. On Monday, the line outside a campus testing site wrapped around the block, The State reports. The university recommends students come back later if the line has exceeded capacity.
Coronavirus complicates surplus
South Carolina lawmakers have nearly $800 million in new money despite the economic toll of the coronavirus pandemic. But there’s debate in the State House over whether to spend the money this year.
Roughly $775 million of the surplus — from savings, fees and other income — is one-time funds that the state can’t count on the be returned. It could cushion reserves or go toward some of the state’s spending needs. But lawmakers are concerned about the toll of the virus.
State lawmakers have about $86 million in new yearly money left to spend, which is down significantly from the $815 million that was projected before the pandemic.
The uncertainty surrounding the pandemic has divided the State House on whether to adopt a brand new budget or continue operating as it has during the crisis since it’s unclear how the economy will be next year.
“These are uncharted waters, so the real question becomes is it time in September to finish the budget that we started back in March with so many unknowns?” House Majority Leadrer Gary Simrill, R-York, told reporters last week, according to The State. “Or, is it better to have a continuing resolution that we’re operating under now, get through the fourth quarter, come back in January and then develop a budget?”
Two SC inmates die after testing positive
Two South Carolina prison inmates died last week after testing positive for the coronavirus, The State reported Monday.
Randolph Roy Dogan, 63, died at Aug. 27. Larry Lee Lewis, 58, died Aug. 28. Both were inmates at Tyger River Correctional Institution and died at an outside hospital.
A total of 16 South Carolina inmates have died after testing positive for COVID-19.
Tyger River — an all-male, medium-security prison in Enoree — has more inmates who have tested positive than any other state correctional facility. As of Saturday, a total of 421 inmates and 35 staff members had tested positive.
State psychiatric hospital hit with two outbreaks
The Department of Mental Health’s G. Werber Bryan Psychiatric Hospital in Columbia has recorded two coronavirus outbreaks in recent months, The State reported.
The hospital treats people deemed unfit to stand trial because of mental health problems.
One patient died when the first outbreak hit in May, The State reported. Dozens more were infected during a second outbreak in July, and at least one patient and a correctional officer died.
Visitors have been barred from the hospital since March 13. But patients lived together with up to three roommates, “communed in common spaces and participated in group treatments,” according to The State. Staff also came and went from the hospital freely.
“That makes it extremely challenging to control a respiratory infection from spreading should it occur in one patient,” the the Department of Mental Health said in a statement.
Staff were also screened early on, but DMH confirmed two nurses in the forensic unit worked while showing symptoms.
Complex promises changes after party broken up near USC
An apartment complex that describes itself as “just steps from the University of South Carolina” said Monday it’s agreed to make changed after the Columbia Fire Department broke up a large pool party Saturday evening.
The couple hundred attendees were reportedly not following the city’s mask ordinance or social distancing rules. The fire department received tips about it from residents.
“It was almost like Mardi Gras,” Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins told The State. “I saw a large crowd in the pool, in the area on the side of the pool and on top of the pool house.”
The managers of the complex met with local officials Monday and Jenkins told The State “they’re going to make sure that the pool, when it is open, people are adhering to the rules” and that the complex has promised to a security person or manager monitor the pool.
The party came as Richland County has had the most new cases in the state for three consecutive days. On Monday, it reported 182 confirmed cases after reporting a record 396 Sunday. Monday was the fifth consecutive day that more than 100 new cases were reported.
This story was originally published August 31, 2020 at 7:07 AM with the headline "Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Aug. 31."
