2 coronavirus deaths, 36 new cases confirmed in Beaufort County on Saturday
Two new COVID-19 deaths were announced in Beaufort County on Saturday.
Two people described as elderly died on Feb. 22 after contracting the novel coronavirus, according to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Thirty-six new coronavirus cases were also recorded in Beaufort County on Saturday. Six probable infections were reported, too.
The area recorded a wave of cases throughout December and January, mirroring other spots around South Carolina and the rest of the country.
The seven-day average of new cases, though, has dropped significantly in recent weeks. It was 34.2 as of Saturday. The average had hit roughly 113 on Jan. 14.
The holiday surge following Christmas and Thanksgiving has abated, but experts worry that new coronavirus variants that are highly transmissible could hamper recovery efforts, even as vaccines are slowly distributed to local health care workers, seniors and residents and staff at long-term care facilities.
Jasper County, meanwhile, reported three new cases and zero deaths Saturday.
Vaccine data
Beaufort Memorial Hospital as of Friday had utilized 112% of 9,978 first Pfizer-BioNTech doses received. That’s because some Pfizer vials have contained six or even seven doses, but DHEC calculates its utilization rates based on the assumption that each vial contains five doses, which was the original expectation late last year. The hospital has used 119% of 5,975 second doses.
Hilton Head Hospital had utilized 143% of 2,825 first doses. The hospital also had used 117% of 2,820 second doses as of Friday.
Coastal Carolina Hospital as of Friday had used 161% of 2,805 first doses. The hospital had utilized 97% of 3,452 second doses.
Pfizer’s vaccine uses a recommended two-dose regimen. The second shot is typically scheduled three weeks after the first.
Local numbers
Viral test results reported Thursday (the most recent date for which data is available): 734
Average percentage of positive tests in the past week, as of Thursday: 7.6%
Total cases: 13,996 confirmed, according to DHEC
Total deaths: 171 confirmed, according to DHEC
Two-week cumulative incidence rate as of Thursday: 266.5 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 Thursday: 5%
New cases announced Saturday: 1,112
Total cases: 442,957 confirmed
New deaths announced Saturday: 18
Total deaths: 7,546 confirmed
Cases by ZIP code
Bluffton’s ZIP code of 29910 continues to lead the county with 4,208 cases in the past year. Beaufort’s 29902 ZIP code, meanwhile, has recorded 2,098 cases since last March, the second-highest figure in the county.
Hilton Head Island’s 29928 ZIP code, covering the southeastern part of the island, has 1,127 cases. The 29926 ZIP code on the north side has 1,893 cases, according to DHEC data.
Okatie’s 29909 ZIP code, which includes Sun City Hilton Head, has reported 1,102 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.
