Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on April 11
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Latest coronavirus cases
At least 3,207 people have tested positive for coronavirus in South Carolina, and 80 people have died, according to public health officials.
Officials reported 144 new cases and eight deaths Saturday, according to the Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Richland County reported the most new cases with 27, and 20 new cases were confirmed in Spartanburg County, DHEC said.
Lexington County reported 18 new cases, and Greenville County reported 17.
More than 1.7 million cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed worldwide with more than 109,000 deaths as of Saturday, according to Johns Hopkins University. The United States has more than 530,000 confirmed cases and more than 20,000 deaths.
Hilton Head reverses course on rentals
Three days after Hilton Head Island council members shut down short-term rentals, they’ve reversed their decision, The Island Packet reports. One town council member said that since they passed the ordinance, Hilton Head leaders faced “massive threats of lawsuits against the town.”
Many Hilton Head residents had been asking the town to do more to stop tourists from going to the island to slow the spread of coronavirus in the Lowcountry, The Island Packet reports.
With the new vote, short-term rentals can continue to host tourists as long as they are not from COVID-19 hotspots with domestic travel advisories, including New York and New Jersey.
Pet adoptions surge
More people are adopting pets from some South Carolina shelters as they stay home during the coronavirus pandemic.
The City of Columbia Animal Services shelter hasn’t been this empty in years, The State reports.
“On our craziest, worst days in the summer we could have as many as 500 (animals) in the facility,” said Marli Drum, who has worked there more than two decades. ”But (right now) we probably have less than 50 animals.”
Animal shelters across the country have reported a spike in adoptions and volunteers hoping to foster animals.
Missed child support warrants halted
The state is putting a 30-day pause on warrants and arrests for missed child support and alimony payments, South Carolina Chief Justice Donald Beatty ordered.
Warrants issued by family courts for missing payments won’t be carried out until May 10, The State reported.
The move is intended to “protect the health and safety of our State’s citizens,” Beatty said in a statement.
This story was originally published April 11, 2020 at 8:18 AM with the headline "Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on April 11."
