Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Aug. 8
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Deaths surpass 1,900
At least 98,743 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina, and 1,931 have died, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Friday reported an additional 1,178 confirmed cases of the virus. An additional 67 deaths were also reported.
More than 1,400 COVID-19 patients are in South Carolina hospitals, state data show, and 234 of them are on ventilators.
On Friday, nearly 16% of coronavirus tests were positive. That percentage has dipped slightly over the last few weeks, from an average of about 20% each day to 18%. Nationally, about 8.7% of tests come back positive.
DHEC warns people of having no symptoms
State health officials are sending up an alarm about the rate of COVID-19 infections in people who don’t have symptoms and likely don’t know they’re carrying the disease.
“Evidence is increasing about the high rates of infection in people who do not have symptoms and don’t know they are infectious,” the Department of Health and Environmental Control said in a statement. “This places everyone at risk of getting the virus or unknowingly transmitting it to someone else.”
To stymie the spread of the virus by people without symptoms DHEC launched the “Fight the Spread” campaign.
The campaign encourages South Carolinians to help stop the spread of COVID-19 by wearing a mask in public, practicing social distancing and getting tested.
Other actions we can each take to help protect ourselves and those around us, include avoiding group gatherings, regularly washing your hands and staying home if sick, DHEC said.
Inmate in Myrtle Beach jails sues over mask allegation
A J. Reuben Long Detention Center detainee says jail staff refuses to let him and others wear a mask to protect against COVID-19.
Theodore Bolick made the claims in a hand-written lawsuit filed last week in Horry County Court. He is representing himself in the case. He filed suit against Horry County Sheriff Phillip Thompson, who oversees the jail, and other administrators.
Bolick says multiple inmates have tested positive for COVID-19. While jail staff all have masks, the prisoners are being denied face coverings.
Horry County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Brooke Holden said the office could not comment on a pending lawsuit.
Darlington race can host fans
Darlington Raceway has been approved to have some spectators at next month’s race, the Department of Commerce confirmed Friday. Darlington will host an Xfinity Southern 500 race on Sept. 5 and then a doubleheader with truck race and then Southern 500 Cup Series race on Sept. 6. The request for fans was made only for the Southern 500.
S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster said last week announced that he is limiting stadiums, theaters and other venues to 250 people or 50% of the posted occupancy, whichever is less, during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Exceptions can be made but only through an approval process.
4 teachers at child care center infected
Learn 2 Grow, a daycare center in Lexington County, is temporarily closing down after four of the center’s 10 teachers tested positive for coronavirus.
The diagnoses came earlier this week and Learn 2 Grow decided to close until Aug. 15, owner Michele Pfenter told The State.
Officials with the state Department of Health and Environmental Control recommended that the daycare alert parents, and close areas of the building where the four teachers may have been, but Pfenter said it seemed best to shut down for a time.
“We’re literally doing everything and we can’t stop it,” she said.
Pfenter believes others were infected after one of the teachers caught the virus from a family member and came to work.
As far as she knows, none of the 62 children attending the day care have tested positive, Pfenter said.
11th inmate dies of COVID-19
Another South Carolina Department of Corrections inmate has died due to coronavirus, officials said Thursday.
Ernest Strong Jr., 77, tested positive at Perry Correctional Institution on July 15, was hospitalized July 27 and died Thursday. Strong is the 11th state prisons inmate to die as a result of the virus.
The department didn’t say if he had any underlying health conditions.
Defense lawyers oppose in-person trials
The South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers says it’s not safe for the state to resume in-person trials as the coronavirus pandemic continues.
The group sent a letter last month to Chief Justice Donald Beatty to voice concerns. But the state’s first in-person jury trial since April is taking place now in Laurens County, The State reported.
“The members of the SCACDL all have a strong desire to be able to move client cases in a fair and speedy manner,” group president Andrew Potter wrote. “However, this desire does not alleviate the need to protect the health and welfare not only of our clients, but all the individuals involved in the Court system.”
At the trial Tuesday, everyone wore masks when required, and jurors were spaced apart from each other, according to The State.
New unemployment claims drop
More than 8,900 people filed initial unemployment claims in South Carolina last week, marking the smallest increase since the coronavirus pandemic began in the state.
The Department of Employment and Workforce on Thursday announced the numbers, which reflect new claims the week of July 26-Aug. 1. It’s the first time new claims have dipped below 10,000 since COVID-19 cases were first reported in South Carolina in mid-March, according to The State.
But the overall economic toll is staggering. More than 706,000 people have filed initial jobless claims in the past several months, and the state has paid out $3.6 billion.
This story was originally published August 8, 2020 at 8:07 AM with the headline "Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Aug. 8."