Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Jan. 13
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Over 4,600 new cases reported
At least 332,990 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina since March, and 5,402 have died, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Wednesday reported 4,673 new COVID-19 cases, up from 1,361 reported the day before. Wednesday’s total is the second highest daily case count seen in the state since the pandemic began.
Forty-two deaths were reported Wednesday.
Numbers from Monday and Tuesday were skewed low due to an “internal systems error,” DHEC officials said. Wednesday’s figures were also impacted by that error.
As of Wednesday, 27.1% of COVID-19 tests in the state were positive. Health officials have said the number should be closer to 5%.
A record 2,466 people in South Carolina were hospitalized with the coronavirus Wednesday.
Sen. McLeod: McMaster’s handling of pandemic a ‘colossal failure’
Following Gov. Henry McMaster’s State of the State address, Democratic state Sen. Mia McLeod attacked his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, calling it a “colossal failure,” The State reported.
“Democrats across South Carolina are grateful for our women and men who are on the front lines, working day and night to save lives and keep essential services going. And we mourn with and pray for those who have already lost loved ones to this deadly virus,” McLeod said. “It doesn’t have to be this way. With all due respect, governor, because you’ve failed to lead us, the current state of our state is bleak.”
During his address Wednesday, McMaster talked about the state budget and policy goals he has for the 2021 legislative session.
McLeod also criticized South Carolina’s sluggish vaccine rollout, laying the blame on McMaster.
“And with new cases topping 34% positive rates, South Carolina has only been able to administer about a third of the vaccines that our state has received,” McLeod said. “This colossal failure belongs to our CEO, Gov. Henry McMaster.”
Cases ‘off the charts’ in Greenville County
COVID-19 cases are “off the charts high” in Greenville County, Prisma Health President and Chief Executive Officer Mark O’Halla said Tuesday, The State reported.
With the rate of positive tests hovering around 40%, hospitals in the health care chain are feeling the strain, O’Halla said.
The average number of coronavirus patients at Prisma’s 12 hospitals in the Upstate and Midlands was 570 in January, he said. In June, previously the height of the pandemic, that number was 320.
At the same time, 350 Prisma staff, including 180 doctors and nurses, are out sick.
“This is putting a lot of constraints on the system,” O’Halla said.
Horry Co. schools can return to in-person classes
Horry County Schools will be resuming a hybrid class schedule next week, with students in groups A and G returning to classes Tuesday, and group C on Wednesday, The Sun News reported.
In December, the district said the first two weeks of the spring semester would be held remotely, in response to a projected rise in COVID-19 cases.
This spring’s hybrid schedule is a continuation of last semester’s schedule with two days of in-person classes each week. The hybrid schedule will remain in place until officials decide it is safe to hold face-to-face classes five days a week.
SC seniors frustrated with DHEC’s COVID vaccine scheduling
The state Department of Health and Environmental Control is asking for patience as glitches, a website crash and other issues have derailed its COVID-19 vaccine rollout for seniors 70 years and older, The State reported.
Out of the hundreds of eligible vaccine providers in the state, about 20 said they had appointment availability for the 630,000 residents aged 70 and up in South Carolina. While seniors are now allowed to receive the vaccine, they are still competing against health care workers and long-term care facility residents, of which there are approximately 350,000.
Meanwhile, the state is receiving about 60,000 doses each week.
“It’s going to take time to get through every one of these groups,” DHEC acting director Marshall Taylor said. “This is not going to be a fast process until vaccine really starts flowing into the state.”
The department launched a phone help line and online locator tool to find vaccine providers at the same time as it broadened vaccine eligibility to include seniors.
The locator tool was flooded with users, causing it to crash. It was taken offline until Wednesday morning.
People who used the phone line complained of problems as well, including long hold times.
Lawmakers grilled the department on Tuesday, asking “Why was DHEC not prepared?”
Taylor admitted DHEC’s scheduling system is “archaic,” and says they are working on creating a more reliable, effective system -- which could take between two to three weeks. In the meantime, residents should continue using the online locator tool or reach out to vaccine providers directly.
DHEC wants to hire 150 to help vaccine rollout
The state Department of Health and Environmental Control is looking to hire 150 to assist with the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, The State reported.
DHEC is hiring for nurse positions, as well as pharmacists, paramedics, administrative support, and other roles across the state.
“This is a crucial time for our state and, like many public health agencies across the nation, we’re seeking qualified individuals to serve alongside our state’s public health officials in South Carolina’s hour of need,” DHEC Senior Deputy for Public Health Nick Davidson said in a release. “We’re calling on all those who are qualified, willing and able to apply. Your state urgently needs you.”
Some personnel will be handling vaccine administration and distribution more directly, while others will be there to assist with testing and different core public health services.
Horry County schools leader tests positive for coronavirus
Horry County Schools Superintenden Rick Maxey said he has tested positive for COVID-19, The Sun News reported.
“So far, my symptoms have been mild, and I am hopeful that they will continue to be that way,” he wrote in the statement. “I will remain in isolation for the time designated by health care providers and am looking forward to returning to work.”
Maxey wasn’t at Monday’s school board meeting. Other Horry County administrators were absent as well, but spokeswoman Lisa Bourcier said Maxey is the only district leader she knows of who has tested positive for the virus, or who is in quarantine.
Bluffton police chief positive for COVID
Stephenie Price, chief of the Bluffton Police Department, has tested positive for COVID-19, The Island Packet reported.
Two town council members shared the news Tuesday, but so far, the police department has been silent regarding the chief’s diagnosis, or test results for any others in the department.
It’s not clear why the department is being tight-lipped, while state officials have made announcements upon learning they were infected, as have leaders of many other law enforcement agencies across South Carolina.
In a phone call, Price said she isn’t “allowed to release any health information on any Bluffton employee, including myself,” The Island Packet reported.
Other members of the department have declined to comment if any other officers have tested positive for COVID-19.
According to town council member Fred Hamilton, only chief Price has been infected, “not any other members.”
“I actually called her myself to check on her and [she] said she was doing pretty good,” he said.
Prisma Health requests staff help amid COVID surge
As COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations surge, Prisma Health has requested help from the National Guard and state emergency officials to staff a 15-bed recovery unit opening next week.
The Laurens County Hospital COVID-19 convalescent unit will serve as a space for patients who are recovering from coronavirus, and free up beds for patients still battling the virus.
The South Carolina National Guard is going to provide four medics to help staff the facility, and the state Emergency Management Division has promised to spare some contracted staff.
St. Pats in Five Points will be different this year
For the second time, the St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Five Points is being altered to accommodate COVID-19 safety guidelines, The State reported.
The 39th annual St. Pats in Five Points will feature no in-person festival, and morning races around the city may be canceled.
Last year the event was postponed and then canceled, but organizers are trying to think of ways to hold the celebration without creating a potential public health hazard.
Five Points Association president Steve Cook says organizers are considering virtual ideas for a concert, including allowing a small number of attendees, and 5K, 10K and one-mile races.
“We’re going to have to do something very quickly. I would say by the end of the month if we’re going to have anything viable,” Cook said.
COVID forces Midlands high school to all-virtual classes
Due to a spike of COVID-19 cases on campus, Chapin High School is holding classes virtually Tuesday and Wednesday, The State reported.
The Lexington-Richland 5 school has 10 active cases of coronavirus among students and 21 in quarantine, as well as six staff members either infected or in quarantine.
Lexington-Richland 5 school district currently operates on a hybrid schedule of four days in-person classes and one day of remote learning on Wednesdays.
Residents 70 and older can schedule vaccine
South Carolina residents age 70 and older can schedule appointments to receive the COVID-19 vaccine starting Wednesday, The State reported.
Previously, the state’s seniors were supposed to start receiving vaccinations later in the winter, but state health authorities have changed plans in an effort to speed up the roll-out process.
“When evaluating supply versus demand and as the rate of vaccines coming into the state increases compared to the rate of appointments being scheduled, we believe it is appropriate to begin scheduling appointments for additional South Carolinians,” said Brannon Traxler, interim director of public health for the state’s Department of Health and Environmental Control.
To schedule an appointment, call DHEC’s Care Line at 1-855-472-3432.
This story was originally published January 13, 2021 at 6:56 AM with the headline "Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Jan. 13."