Latest coronavirus case numbers and deaths in South Carolina

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) announced Tuesday 1,741 new confirmed cases and 2 new probable cases of coronavirus, as well as 17 additional confirmed deaths and 2 new probable deaths. There are currently 1,021 hospital beds occupied by patients who have either tested positive or are under investigation for COVID-19.This brings the total number of confirmed cases to 36,297, probable cases to 102, confirmed deaths to 735, and 4 probable deaths.Seventeen of the deaths occurred in elderly individuals from Aiken (1), Berkeley (1), Charleston (3), Dillon (1), Edgefield (1), Florence (1), Greenville (1), Horry (1), Lexington (1), McCormick (1), Orangeburg (1), Pickens (1), and Spartanburg (3), and two of the deaths occurred in middle-aged individuals from Florence (1) and Richland (1) counties.The probable deaths occurred in individuals from Spartanburg County (2).Local headlines: Greenville County has the most cases in SC – more than 900 more than Charleston County.Oconee County has had the most significant increase compared to a week ago.The percent positive is 19 percent. It has been at or above 19 percent three of the last four days. The number of people hospitalized in SC that either have coronavirus or are being investigated for coronavirus dropped to 1,021. This is the first decrease since the figure went from 523 on June 13 to 521 on June 14. The number of people hospitalized has nearly doubled since then. The 7-day average of deaths rose to 8.6 deaths reported per day over the last week. The figure has been between 7 and 10 since June 21. The 17 deaths reported today is the third highest total in a single day. The 7-day average of cases reported is higher than it has ever been – it has increased every day since May 27.The number of new confirmed cases by county are listed below.Abbeville (7), Aiken (28), Anderson (28), Bamberg (10), Barnwell (2), Beaufort (70), Berkeley (60), Calhoun (4), Charleston (375), Cherokee (9), Chester (12), Chesterfield (3), Clarendon (4), Colleton (6), Darlington (12), Dillon (6), Dorchester (87), Fairfield (8), Florence (40), Georgetown (16), Greenville (125), Greenwood (26), Hampton (3), Horry (170), Jasper (10), Kershaw (26), Lancaster (29), Laurens (49), Lee (3), Lexington (100), Marion (16), Marlboro (1), McCormick (2), Newberry (9), Oconee (7), Orangeburg (51), Pickens (31), Richland (137), Saluda (1), Spartanburg (55), Sumter (38), Union (6), Williamsburg (12), York (47)The number of new probable cases by county are listed below.Richland (1), Spartanburg (1)Testing in South CarolinaAs of Monday, a total of 420,061 tests have been conducted in the state. See a detailed breakdown of tests in South Carolina on the Data and Projections webpage. DHEC’s Public Health Laboratory is operating extended hours and is testing specimens seven days a week, and the Public Health Laboratory’s current timeframe for providing results to health care providers is 24-48 hours.Percent Positive Test Trends among Reported COVID-19 CasesThe total number of individuals tested Monday statewide was 9,174 (not including antibody tests) and the percent positive was 19%.More than 60 Mobile Testing Clinics Scheduled StatewideAs part of our ongoing efforts to increase testing in underserved and rural communities across the state, DHEC is working with community partners to set up mobile testing clinics that bring testing to these communities. Currently, there are 64 mobile testing events scheduled through July 30 with new testing events added regularly. Find a mobile testing clinic event near you at scdhec.gov/covid19mobileclinics.Residents can also get tested at one of 175 permanent COVID-19 testing facilities across the state. Visit scdhec.gov/covid19testing for more information.Hospital Bed OccupancyAs of Tuesday morning, 3,035 inpatient hospital beds are available and 7,620 are in use, which is a 71.52% statewide hospital bed utilization rate. Of the 7,620 inpatient beds currently used, 1,021 are occupied by patients who have either tested positive or are under investigation for COVID-19.How South Carolinians Can Stop the SpreadEvidence is increasing about the high rates of infection in people who do not have symptoms and don’t know they are infectious. This places everyone at risk of getting the virus or unknowingly transmitting it to someone else. Steps we can take to protect ourselves and others include:Practicing social distancing Wearing a mask in public Avoiding group gatherings Regularly washing your hands Staying home if sick Getting tested now if you have symptoms or getting tested one week after you were a close contact (closer than six feet for at least 15 minutes) to someone with COVID-19For the latest information related to COVID-19 visit scdhec.gov/COVID-19. Visit scdmh.netfor stress, anxiety and mental health resources from the S.C. Department of Mental Health.*As new information is provided to the department, some changes in cases may occur. Cases are reported based on the person’s county of residence, as it is provided to the department. DHEC’s COVID-19 map will adjust to reflect any reclassified cases.Additional coronavirus resources:Tracking COVID-19 curve of cases, deaths in the Carolinas, GeorgiaLatest update on coronavirus cases, latest headlines in Carolinas, GeorgiaCOVID-19 maps of Carolinas, Georgia: Latest coronavirus cases by countySign up for WYFF News 4 coronavirus daily newsletter