Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Aug. 15

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

New cases go back over 1,000 then drop again

At least 104,874 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina and 2,156 have died, according to state health officials.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Friday reported an additional 1,015 cases of the virus — the first day this week case counts exceeded 1,000.

On Saturday, new cases dropped below 1,000 with state health officials reporter 986 more people tested positive for the virus.

An additional 51 deaths were reported Saturday.

DHEC on Saturday said 16.4% of tests were positive, compared to 15% the day before. In July the percent of positive test hovered around 20%. About 8.7% of tests come back positive nationally.

At least 1,246 people in South Carolina were reported hospitalized with COVID-19 on Friday, with 181 patients on ventilators, according to the DHEC.

Some movie theaters in SC reopening

That includes cinemas near Charlotte. Two theaters — RedStone 14 Cinemas in Indian Land and Regal Manchester in Rock Hill will open Aug. 28, The Rock Hill Herald reports.

“This has been a tremendously challenging time for all of us,” said Dale Coleman, vice president of operations for Stone Theatres, which owns RedStone.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster began allowing places with large gatherings, like movie theaters, to begin reopening Aug. 3 with 250 people or 50% capacity, whichever is less.

DHEC: Declining cases could be lack of testing

Daily coronavirus case counts have been trending down in recent weeks, but the state Department of Health and Environmental Control warns that could be happening, in part, because fewer people are getting tested for virus.

There were 12,500 tests conducted on Aug. 7, and only 3,900 on Wednesday. Officials point out that the percentage of tests coming back positive are still high.

“When we’re still seeing those high levels of percent positive rates, I think it still suggests to us that there are a lot of cases out there going unidentified and there is a lot of disease going around,” DHEC’s Dr. Brannon Traxler said.

Catholic school teachers forced to sign waivers

Teachers at some private Catholic schools in South Carolina are being told to sign COVID-19 liability waivers as they return to in-person classes this fall, and they say it’s not optional, The Island Packet reported.

By signing, teachers accept that they may catch COVID-19, and that it may result in serious illness or death. A legal expert said the waivers may not stand up in a courtroom, but signers agree to “absolutely release, defend, indemnify, and hold harmless” their schools, as well as the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston.

An internal email from an administrator refers to signing the waiver as a condition of employment.

“It’s this, or no job,” a teacher working at a Beaufort County Catholic school said anonymously, due to fear repercussions.

“The amount of anxiety and fear has been really crippling,” said another, at a different school. “Since maybe July, just every day feeling like I’m going back and there’s no plan.”

William Ryan, superintendent of Catholic schools, said the waiver is a “tool to hold those associated with the school accountable in keeping everyone protected and healthy.”

“We believe that each of us are accountable for our actions and want each individual to understand the importance of compliance with the guidelines set forth in the document,” he said.

Education leader tries to ease teacher concerns

South Carolina schools superintendent Molly Spearman tried to ease teachers’ concerns on Thursday, telling them during a town hall meeting that “our students really need you.”

Teachers asked questions and voiced their fears about returning to classrooms during the teleconference town hall hosted by the S.C. Education Association and the Palmetto State Teachers Association.

“I want to do everything I can to help build your confidence that we can go back if possible,” Spearman said.

Many schools are preparing for a return to in-person classes, while some have have already started LEAP days in which teachers assess students’ academic skills.

Too few are getting tested, DHEC says

The state averaged nearly 11,000 coronavirus tests per day in July, but that average has rapidly declined in August to about 8,000 -- with some days seeing as few as 3,874 -- and officials with the Department of Health and Environmental Control are concerned.

Testing and identifying infected individuals is key to preventing new outbreaks, DHEC Director of Public Health Joan Duwve said, but fewer South Carolinians are getting themselves checked.

There are 141 mobile testing sites across the state and 222 permanent sites. Tests are free at all mobile DHEC sites.

This story was originally published August 15, 2020 at 8:02 AM with the headline "Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Aug. 15."