Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on July 28

We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.

Cases top 83,000

At least 83,720 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina and 1,505 have died, according to state health officials.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Tuesday reported an additional 1,573 cases of the virus.

An additional 52 deaths were reported Tuesday, up from the 17 reported Monday.

According the DHEC, 77% of ICU beds across the state are now in use, and COVID-19 patients are filling more than a third of them.

Can McMaster spend $32 million on private schools?

A judge will hear arguments Wednesday and ultimately decide whether Gov. Henry McMaster can give $32 million in federal aid to private South Carolina schools.

The funds are part of a larger $48 million pot set aside to support education. A judge temporarily blocked McMaster from allocating the $32 million last week.

The plaintiff who filed suit against McMaster and the Palmetto Promise Institute alleges that giving money from the Emergency Education Relief account to private institutions violates state law.

Spike in coronavirus-related deaths

Nearly half of South Carolina’s coronavirus-related deaths were reported in July.

As of July 25, more than 1,400 deaths were reported in the state since the start of the pandemic in March. Of those, 689 were reported in July.

The three deadliest days were July 19, 20 and 21, when a total of 133 deaths were reported by state health officials.

The surge in reported deaths came amid rising case counts and hospitalizations.

Almost 50% of the state’s confirmed coronavirus cases were reported in the last four weeks, according to The State.

Inmate with COVID-19 dies

An inmate at the Perry Correctional Institution died in a hospital Sunday where he was being treated for COVID-19, The State reported.

Carl Frazier Good, 55, is the ninth inmate to die after testing positive for the coronavirus, according to the S.C. Department of Corrections.

At Perry Correctional Institution, 103 inmates and 26 staff members have tested positive for the virus. Throughout South Carolina’s 21 state prisons, there have been 729 confirmed cases among inmates.

Masks to be required on school buses

All K-12 students in South Carolina’s public schools will be required to wear masks when riding a school bus once classes resume, The State reported.

Teachers, staff and bus drivers will also have to wear masks, S.C. Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman said in a news release.

Buses should be filled to 67% capacity, as opposed to a max of 50%, which was recommended by the state’s AccleratEd task force, Spearman said. The decision to increase bus capacity was made following conversations between the state Department of Education and the state Department of Health and Environmental Control, health experts, pediatricians and transportation officials.

This story was originally published July 28, 2020 at 7:14 AM with the headline "Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on July 28."