Beaufort Co. records 12 new COVID cases, 1 new death. But vaccinations are on the rise
Beaufort County recorded another 12 coronavirus cases among residents on Saturday, according to data from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
There was one new death reported Saturday in Beaufort County. DHEC described that person as elderly.
The area reported a wave of cases throughout December and January, mirroring other spots around South Carolina and the rest of the country. That holiday surge has abated in recent weeks.
Local recovery efforts are in full swing as vaccines are distributed to seniors, essential workers, health care employees and others. Phase 1b of distribution began in Beaufort and Jasper counties Monday.
Jasper County, meanwhile, reported seven new cases and zero deaths Saturday.
Local vaccination numbers
Number of residents who have received at least one dose: 41,241
Number of doses administered: 64,469
Percentage of the county’s 15 and older population who have received at least one dose: 26.3%
Biggest vaccinator: Beaufort Memorial Hospital, which has administered 12,396 Pfizer-BioNTech doses since mid-December
Statewide numbers
Number of residents who have received at least one dose: 869,602
Percentage of the state’s 15 and older population who have received at least one dose: 21.2%
Percentage of Phase 1a members who have completed vaccination: 37%
Vaccinations by ZIP code
Okatie’s ZIP code of 29909, which includes Sun City Hilton Head, continues to lead the county with 9,941 resident vaccinations since late last year, according to DHEC data. Bluffton’s 29910 ZIP code, meanwhile, has recorded 8,115 resident inoculations, which is the second-highest figure in the county.
Hilton Head Island’s 29926 ZIP code, covering the north side, has 7,228 vaccinations. The 29928 ZIP code, covering the southeastern part of the island, has 5,889 vaccinations, according to DHEC.
Beaufort’s 29902 ZIP code has reported 2,705 inoculations.
Case data in Beaufort County
Seven-day average of new cases: 13
Total cases: 14,330 confirmed, according to DHEC
Total deaths: 192 confirmed, according to DHEC
Two-week cumulative incidence rate as of Saturday: 157 cases per 100,000 people, a moderate incidence 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 in Charleston, has previously said counties should aim to have a two-week incidence rate of less than 50 new cases per 100,000 people.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREHow we covered this story
Facts about COVID-19 vaccine distribution in South Carolina are changing rapidly. The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette are trying to publish important information as quickly and accurately as possible. This story may be updated if more information becomes available or if facts become clearer.
