Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Aug. 19

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

Over 700 new cases reported

At least 107,274 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina and 2,248 have died, according to state officials.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Wednesday reported 704 new cases — the fourth day in a row new cases have been below 1,000.

Officials on Wednesday reported 17 additional coronavirus-related deaths, compared to 47 the day before.

DHEC reported Wednesday that 16.8% of tests were positive. In July, the state’s positive test rate hovered around 20%. About 8.7% of tests come back positive nationally.

USC students ignore COVID safety, social media shows

Pictures and video posted to social media show some University of South Carolina students flaunting social distancing and other familiar coronavirus safety guidelines.

Dozens packed tight at an apartment complex swimming pool, a Snapchat picture captured. An Instragram post shows more than 60 gathered at the same spot, no masks anywhere. Another post showed a crowded indoor birthday party.

All three were incidents that happened at off-campus apartment complexes, The State reported.

“Our team has worked hard to educate property managers, and it would be very disappointing if they were not enforcing public health standards that are designed to protect the community,” said USC spokesman Jeff Stensland.

The University of North Carolina recently returned to online classes only after coronavirus cases ruined the school’s attempted reopening. Administrators say off-campus activity was largely behind UNC’s outbreaks.

COVID activity dropping in Lexington County

Over the last two weeks, coronavirus activity has dropped in Lexington County, sliding from “high” to “medium,” state Department of Health and Environmental Control data show.

That makes Lexington one of just seven South Carolina counties with a medium degree of COVID-19 activity, with the rest still seeing a high level of new infections.

Whether a county is considered to have high, medium, or low levels of activity is determined largely by “incidence rate,” meaning the number of positive COVID-19 cases per 100,000.

From Aug. 3-16, Lexington’s incidence rate was 174.6 out of 100,000.

Students still unaccounted for due to pandemic

After South Carolina schools closed down in the spring and sent students home for virtual learning, nearly 16,000 students were unaccounted for by June and couldn’t be reached, but now nearly all have been located, state Social Services director Michael Leach told lawmakers Wednesday.

But there are still 371 children that haven’t been found or contacted, he said.

“I’ve been incredibly impressed with both the speed and willingness from people across our organization to get involved in this,” Leach told the Senate’s Reopen South Carolina, a panel focused on children’s services.

The Department of Social Services is still trying to track those remaining few down, with help from the S.C. Department of Education, he said.

USC rolling out rapid COVID-19 testing

Students, faculty and staff at the University of South Carolina will have access to fast, easy coronavirus testing starting Wednesday, according to school officials.

The free SAFE testing, or Saliva Assay Free Expedited testing, requires only saliva and can provide results within 24 hours. SAFE testing will make it “possible for the university to test thousands of students and employees daily for COVID-19,” according to a school statement.

The test was developed by researchers with USC’s own College of Pharmacy, with material assistance from Nephron Pharmaceuticals.

“If we want to stop the spread of this deadly virus, we have to expand COVID-19 screening where breakouts can occur, such as college campuses, and that is why this partnership with Carolina is so important,” Nephron CEO Lou Kennedy said in a release. “Returning to normal begins with reliable, rapid testing. We are proud to welcome the Gamecock family back to campus by working together with the university to make this kind of test available.”

The university said it was aware of 26 active coronavirus cases as of Friday.

No curfew in Columbia

The city of Columbia is not getting a curfew but plans to crack down on large parties as students return to the University of South Carolina campus.

Columbia had a curfew from mid-March into June, and the city council on Tuesday considered bringing it back. But the council decided instead to ask S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster to extend his executive order prohibiting alcohol sales after 11 p.m., The State reported.

The council also gave an early OK to a plan that would “penalize landlords whose properties are cited for not obeying executive orders issued by the governor or any law aimed at addressing a public health concern,” according to The State.

Hilton Head extends face mask requirement

Masks will continue to be required in commercial spaces in Hilton Head until at least Oct. 17.

The Hilton Head Island Town Council voted Tuesday to extend the mandate, which applies to grocery stores, restaurants, bars, gyms, hotel lobbies and other businesses, the Island Packet reported.

This story was originally published August 19, 2020 at 6:46 AM with the headline "Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Aug. 19."