Coronavirus omicron updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on March 9
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and vaccines in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
About 150 new COVID cases reported in SC
At least 1.14 million coronavirus cases have been reported in South Carolina, and at least 14,685 people have died of the virus since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Wednesday, March 9, reported 148 new COVID-19 cases and 21 coronavirus-related deaths. There were also 64 probable cases and nine probable deaths.
The omicron variant accounted for 100% of coronavirus strains identified in South Carolina for the week ending Feb. 20, state health data shows. The DHEC’s Public Health Laboratory conducts sequencing on randomly chosen samples as part of nationwide efforts to identify new coronavirus strains, according to the agency’s website.
At least 375 people in the state were hospitalized with COVID-19 as of March 8, including 74 patients being treated in intensive care units and 33 on ventilators. Data shows roughly 4% of hospitalizations in South Carolina are coronavirus-related.
As of March 9, nearly 9% of COVID-19 tests were reported positive. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said 5% or lower means there is a low level of community spread.
Nearly 54% of South Carolinians eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and about 62% have received at least one dose, health officials say.
Jasper County Schools drop mask mandate for students
Students in Jasper County will no longer have to wear a face mask in class or on a school bus, according to The Island Packet.
School board members voted to end the mask requirement during a meeting on Monday, March 7, the outlet reported. District spokesman Travis Washington said the change is effectively immediately.
Jasper County Schools first issued its face mask rules in October 2021 and extended them several times amid a surge in new COVID-19 cases. The district briefly moved to distance learning in the fall before returning to in-person classes two weeks later.
Unmasked students and staff were subject to weekly coronavirus testing, a measure school district officials said could return “should the need arise.”
Read the full story here.
This story was originally published March 9, 2022 at 7:05 AM with the headline "Coronavirus omicron updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on March 9."