Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Nov. 21
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Cases surpass 192,000
At least 192,645 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina and 3,974 have died, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Saturday reported 1,530 new COVID-19 cases, up from 1,479 the day before.
Twenty-six coronavirus-related deaths were reported Saturday.
The percentage of positive tests was 11.2% as of Saturday. Health officials have said the number should be closer to 5% to slow spread of the virus.
As of Friday, 816 patients were hospitalized with coronavirus-related symptoms.
Clemson football game postponed
Clemson’s game at Florida State scheduled for Saturday afternoon was postponed three hours before kickoff.
“The postponement follows this morning’s game conference call at which time both teams’ medical personnel were unable to mutually agree on moving forward with the game,” the Atlantic Coast Conference said in announcing the news.
Yahoo Sports college football insider Pete Thamel reported that the issue centered on a Clemson player who tested positive for COVID-19.
Upstate surge in virus continues
The Upstate continues to report more COVID-19 cases than any other region of South Carolina.
Greenville County again reported Saturday the most new positive tests in the state with 307, followed by Pickens County with 111 new cases, Spartanburg County with 93 new cases and Anderson County with 74.
Other counties that reported more than 90 cases Saturday were Horry County (91) and York County (129).
Beaufort experts weary of a Thanksgiving case surge
Coronavirus activity is climbing, and Beaufort County health experts worry Thanksgiving gatherings could elevate the situation to an even worse level, the Island Packet reported.
“We hope everybody continues holding the line with the precautions, but I think it would be naive to say that, for the long term, we’re going to keep the numbers this low,” said Dr. Kurt Gambla, the top medical officer at Beaufort Memorial Hospital.
The county was listed as having a “high” incidence rate on Wednesday.
“Why go see grandma this year when there’s a chance grandma won’t be at Thanksgiving next year” because she’s died of COVID-19, said Dr. Scott Curry, an infectious disease specialist at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.
With several effective vaccines on the horizon, Curry said South Carolinians will likely never have to skip their Thanksgiving plans again after this year.
“All you gotta do is wait one season out,” he said. “Why risk it? Do a Zoom Thanksgiving, order out, have Chinese, whatever it takes.”
SC unemployment rate improving, but many still jobless
South Carolina’s employment rate is getting back to where it was before the pandemic, according to the state workforce department, but over 100,000 residents are still without a job.
In September, the unemployment rate was 5.2%, but dropped down to 4.2% the following month. Dan Ellzey, Department of Employment and Workforce director, said 28,000 people found work in October.
Even the job sectors hardest hit by COVID-19 -- hospitality, construction, manufacturing, and others -- showed signs of growth during October, Ellzey said.
South Carolina’s employment picture is looking brighter than the national average of 7.9% in September, and 6.9% in October.
SC schools to receive rapid COVID-19 tests
Gov. Henry McMaster announced Thursday that school districts across South Carolina will soon receive rapid coronavirus testing kits, allowing students and staff to be tested more regularly, The State reported.
The move is part of McMaster’s larger goal of seeing all schools reopened.
Abbot Rapid COVID-19 test kits, which can return results in 15 minutes, will be distributed to districts based on student population. The aim is to have them available by the week after Thanksgiving.
Tests would be used when someone is displaying symptoms of the coronavirus. Students would only be tested with parents’ permission, and school employees must give consent to be tested.
This story was originally published November 21, 2020 at 7:52 AM with the headline "Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Nov. 21."