Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Sept. 7
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Cases top 123,000
At least 123,552 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina, and 2,767 have died, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Monday reported 590 new cases of the virus, down from 603 reported the day before.
Monday was the first day recently in which Richland County didn’t report the most new cases. It reported 46 cases, behind Greenville County’s 62. Richland has seen more cases as the University of South Carolina has reported an increasing number of infections following the return of students.
An additional 19 coronavirus-related deaths were also reported Monday.
The DHEC on Monday reported a positive test rate of 11.2%, which is lower than what the state has recently seen. The World Health Organization and state health officials recommend 5% or lower to bring the transmission of COVID-19 under control.
Health officials reported that as of Monday there were 787 patients in South Carolina hospitals with COVID-19. Of those, 208 are in intensive care and 129 are on ventilators.
Sunday marked six months since the first coronavirus cases were reported in South Carolina.
Spike in cases expected after holiday
Health officials have predicted South Carolina will see a spike in coronavirus cases following Labor Day weekend and as students go back to school.
Health officials predict 5,765 new COVID-19 cases will be reported in the state in the coming week. But it can take up to two weeks for symptoms to appear after contracting the virus.
The surge could resemble what happened in the state after Memorial Day, when South Carolina went from reporting 100 to 300 cases per day to more than 1,000, The State reports.
Although the state has been reporting fewer cases recently, health officials say it could be due to fewer people being tested for the virus.
Food pantries struggle to fight hunger during pandemic
Many are still coping with food insecurity and hunger as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to put a strain on resources. The COVID Impact Survey estimates a lack of regular access to food doubled overall and tripled among households with children in April.
In South Carolina, one in eight people struggle with hunger during normal times, per Feeding America.
Food pantries across the Lowcountry are worried about keeping up with demand amid shortages, fewer donations and other difficulties during the pandemic, The Island Packet reports Sept. 7.
A food rescue group in Hilton Head says demand is up 30% and that it has to overcome meat shortages and a lack of volunteers to distribute supplies to 55 nonprofits each week. A food pantry and soup kitchen in Bluffton says it’s supplying meals for 200 people per week while struggling to meet needs.
How has Hilton Head tourism been impacted?
Tourism in Hilton Head came to a “screeching halt” in the spring as the coronavirus pandemic shuttered restaurants and shops for weeks, The Island Packet reported Sunday.
Between March 8 and July 11, the total estimated economic impact loss in Beaufort County was $310 million, according to the Office of Tourism Analysis at College of Charleston.
But businesses started reopening in May and “tourists trickled back.” Hilton Head, with its spaciousness and opportunity for outdoor recreation, has fared better than other parts of the country during the pandemic.
Tourism, however, may be forever changed by the coronavirus as it’s altered visitor behaviors. For example, visitors want entire houses to themselves and outdoor seating at restaurants. While those changes “created new business opportunities” for some companies, they left a “gaping hole in others,” per the Island Packet.
This story was originally published September 7, 2020 at 9:36 AM with the headline "Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Sept. 7."
