1 COVID-19 death in Beaufort Co. Friday as SC reports record number of virus fatalities
A COVID-19 death was reported in Beaufort County on Friday as state health officials continued to grapple with an undisclosed data issue that has affected South Carolina’s coronavirus data all week.
A person described as middle-aged died on Jan. 4 after contracting the novel pathogen, according to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Statewide, a record-breaking 93 new COVID-19 deaths were confirmed Friday.
DHEC also announced 50 new cases and one probable infection in Beaufort County. The statewide data issue, though, has apparently resulted in missing cases.
State officials have yet to explain exactly what’s wrong. A DHEC spokesperson attributed it to a vendor issue earlier this week.
The Lowcountry has reported a surge of cases throughout December and the beginning of January, mirroring other spots around South Carolina and the rest of the country.
The local outbreak is now at its worst point since March. Hundreds of cases were recorded last week, shattering the previous single-day record on Jan. 8. Deaths are quickly mounting, in comparison to last fall. The county’s seven-day average of new cases was 88.4 as of Friday.
Vaccine data
Beaufort Memorial Hospital on Friday reported that it had administered 261 new Pfizer-BioNTech shots, according to DHEC data. The hospital, which has received 2,750 Pfizer doses so far, had administered 85% of its supply as of Friday.
Hilton Head Hospital also reported Friday that it had administered 212 new Pfizer shots, DHEC data show. The medical center, which has received 1,055 Pfizer doses so far, had administered 132% of its supply as of Friday. That’s because some vials have contained six to seven doses, rather than five.
Coastal Carolina Hospital on Friday said it had administered 291 new shots, according to DHEC. The hospital has received 970 Pfizer doses, accounting for a 141% utilization rate.
Local numbers
Viral test results reported Wednesday (the most recent date for which data is available): 231
Average percentage of positive tests in the past week, as of Wednesday: 32%
Total cases: 10,790 confirmed, according to DHEC
Total deaths: 118 confirmed, according to DHEC
Two-week cumulative incidence rate as of Wednesday: 732 cases per 100,000 people, a “high” rate under DHEC’s definition. An incidence rate measures how quickly a disease is spreading through a given population.
Dr. Scott Curry, an infectious disease specialist at the Medical University of South Carolina, has previously said counties should aim to have a two-week incidence rate of less than 50 new cases per 100,000 people.
Statewide numbers
Percentage of positive non-antibody tests reported Wednesday: 16.5%
New cases announced Friday: 1,845
Total cases: 341,597 confirmed
New deaths announced Friday: 93
Total deaths: 5,513 confirmed
Cases by ZIP code
Bluffton’s ZIP code of 29910 continues to lead the county with 3,035 cases in the past year. Beaufort’s 29902 ZIP code, meanwhile, has recorded 1,740 cases since March, the second-highest figure in the county.
Hilton Head’s 29928 ZIP code, covering the southeastern part of the island, has 796 cases. The 29926 ZIP code on the north side has 1,319 cases, according to DHEC data.
Okatie’s 29909 ZIP code, which includes Sun City Hilton Head, has reported 779 cases.
Coronavirus infections at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island are included in the 29902 ZIP code.
More information on Beaufort County ZIP code data can be found at the following link. Click on it, then click on “Go to Cases,” then click on Beaufort County on the S.C. map: bit.ly/BeaufortCountyZIP
What are DHEC’s recommendations?
State health officials say residents should continue to practice social distancing and should wear a mask in public.
People who are active in the community or those who can’t effectively social distance or wear a mask should be tested for COVID-19 monthly, according to DHEC.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREHow South Carolina’s coronavirus data is compiled
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control’s total COVID-19 case count includes anyone who has tested positive since the pandemic began. The data also include those who have recovered or died.
The state agency does not provide an overall, county-by-county number of cases versus the number of people who have recovered.
DHEC counts deaths based on where a patient lives rather than where they died.
This story was originally published January 15, 2021 at 2:53 PM.
