Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Oct. 20
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
Cases pass 158,000
At least 158,747 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina, and 3,475 have died, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Tuesday reported 666 new COVID-19 cases, up from 539 the day before.
Twenty-five coronavirus-related deaths were reported Tuesday, the highest single-day increase in two weeks.
The percentage of positive COVID-19 tests was 13.4% as of Tuesday. Health officials have said that number should be 5% or lower.
On Tuesday, 697 patients in state hospitals had COVID-19, including 182 in intensive care and 92 on ventilators.
Student cases in K-12 schools surpass 1,000
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases among South Carolina students has climbed past 1,000 since the school year began.
Tuesday, the state Department of Health and Environmental Control announced there have been 148 new cases since Friday, bringing the total number of cases to 1,631 this school year. Students make up 1,143 of those, and employees account for 488.
North Myrtle Beach extends mask mandate
With coronavirus cases on the rise in Horry County, the North Myrtle Beach City Council voted 5-0 to extend an ordinance requiring residents and visitors to wear masks in public spaces.
The mask rule was put in place June 30, and was set to expire on Oct. 30 before the council renewed it.
“We have people who have died this week from COVID-19,” Mayor Marilyn Hatley said. “Our numbers increased over 200 in 12 days. We have COVID-19 here in our community at this time, and we need to do everything that we possibly can.”
Did shag dancing competition cause COVID-19 spike?
After two deaths and a spike in COVID-19 cases in North Myrtle Beach, there’s concern a shag dance contest may be the culprit, The Sun News reported.
In the area code encompassing North Myrtle Beach, 210 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in the last two weeks. Shaggin’ on Main, hosted at Duck’s Night Life from Sept. 23-27, may be the epicenter of the recent surge.
“I have friends that are sick now. It’s just heartbreaking,” Robin Morley, chairwoman of the Association of Carolina Shag Clubs, said. “It just went wild; it just took off. And now there’s some sick folks, and I do hate it. We canceled SOS because of that very thing.”
DHEC officials said there’s simply no way to know for sure if the shag event is responsible. Community transmission makes it difficult to “determine definitively the specific location where the infection happens,” officials said.
Duck’s owner, Dwayne Porter, defended his business and the decision to host the event.
“Here’s what frustrates me: everyone says they got it at Duck’s. I operated under the guidelines,” Porter said. “We were authorized by the state to do it. This virus is everywhere, but you can’t prove where these people get it. One person can infect 1,000. I hate that anybody got sick, but you can only do what you can do.”
McMaster announces $65 million for small businesses
During a visit to Rock Hill on Monday, Gov. Henry McMaster discussed a $65 million aid package offering relief to South Carolina small businesses and nonprofits hurt by the pandemic.
Of the total, $40 million is set aside for small businesses and $25 million is for nonprofits. To receive aid, businesses and nonprofits must apply before Nov. 1.
“This money is out there, but you have to apply to be eligible,” McMaster said, The Herald in Rock Hill reported. “And it must be done online.”
Click this link for instructions on how to apply.
Crowds flood Five Points, worrying officials
Columbia officials say they are concerned after crowds of young people without masks packed the Five Points area over the weekend, The State reported.
“This pandemic is far from over,” Mayor Steve Benjamin said Monday. “It’s important for everyone to know the role we have in keeping it under control.”
Hundreds of new coronavirus cases are being reported every day across the state.
Statewide restrictions on bars and restaurants were lifted earlier this month, allowing them to operate at full capacity. Social distancing and mask use are now “strongly encouraged” but not enforced, and the city of Columbia cannot go beyond Gov. Henry McMaster’s order.
“There’s not a whole lot we can do,” city councilwoman Tameika Devine said, according to The State. “I’ve been telling people to contact the governor.”
This story was originally published October 20, 2020 at 7:04 AM with the headline "Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Oct. 20."