4 THE STORM” AND IT AIRS TONIGHT AT 7:00 P.M. RIGHT HERE ON WYFF 4. GABRIELLE: BREAKING NEWS OUT OF SOUTH CAROLINA. OFFICIALS ANNOUNCED 17 MORE DEATHS ASSOCIATED WITH COVID-19 IN THE STAGE, INCLUDING FIVE ELDERLY PEOPLE FROM THE UPSTATE. OFFICIALS SAY, THE DEATHS WERE REPORTED IN GREENWOOD, PICKENS AND SPARTANBURG COUNTY. THAT BRINGS THE TOTAL TO 518 PEOPLE. WE ARE TOLD THERE ARE 12,651 POSITIVE CASES ACROSS THE STATE. THAT IS AN INCREASE OF 235 FROM YESTERDAY. JANE: AND HERE ARE YOUR TOP COVID-19 HEADLINES AT THIS HOUR. SUMMER HEAT IS UNLIKELY TO STOP THE SPREAD OF COVID-19. THE HEAD OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH GAVE THAT ASSESSMENT, CITING EXPERTS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASE TRANSMISSION AND CLIMATE MODELING. HE SAID, QUOTE, “CLIMATE ONLY WOULD BECOME AN IMPORTANT SEASONAL FACTOR IN CONTROLLING COVID-19 ONCE A LARGE PROPORTION OF PEOPLE WITHIN A GIVEN COMMUNITY ARE IMMUNE OR RESISTANT TO INFECTION. AMERICAN FACTORIES STALLED FOR THE THIRD STRAIGHT MONTH IN MAY VIRUS. — MONTH OF MAY DUE TO THE THE U.S. MANUFACTURING INDEX CAME IN AT 43.1 IN MAY, AFTER 41.5 IN APRIL. ANYTHING BELOW 50 SIGNALS MANUFACTURERS ARE STRUGGLING. HIRING AND EXPORTS ARE STILL FALLING, BUT AT A SLOWER PACE THAN IN APRI GABRIELLE: 939 PEOPLE HAVE DIED FROM COVID-19 IN NORTH CAROLINA. THE NUMBER INCREASED BY 18 DEATHS SINCE YESTERDAY. MORE THAN 600 PATIENTS ARE IN THE HOSPITAL WITH COVID-19. SO FAR, 449,000 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TESTED. ABOUT 8% OF THOSE HAVE COME BACK POSITIVE. ON YOUR SCREEN NOW IS A BREAKDOWN OF THE NUMBER OF CASES IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA. YOU CAN SEE, HENDERSON COUNTY IS REPORTING THE MOST IN OUR AREA, WITH 351 CASES AND 46 DEATHS. JANE: GEORGIA’S GOVERNOR SAYS, THE STATE HAS INCREASED BED CAPACITY AND IS SEEING A REDUCTION IN HOSPITALIZATIONS. THEY HAVE HAD A DECREASING PERCENTAGE OF POSITIVE CASES AS TESTING CAPABILITIES EXPAND. AS OF THIS AFTERNOON HEALTH OFFICIALS IN GEORGIA ARE REPORTING MORE THAN 48,000 CONFIRMED CASES OF COVID-19 IN THE STATE. AS OF THIS AFTERNOON, THERE WERE 48,894 TOTAL CASES IN THE STATE. 2100 23 PEOPLE HAVE DIED OF CORONAVIRUS IN GEORGIA. ON YOUR SCREEN NOW IS A BREAKDOWN OF THE NUMBER OF CASES IN OUR AREA. YOU CAN SEE STEPHENS COUNTY IS , REPORTING OVER 140 CASES, THREE DEATHS AND 26 HOSPITALIZATIONS. OIL FACE COVERINGS ARE BEING RECOMMENDED FOR PEOPLE ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO HELP PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19, THEY ARE PREVENTING A BIT OF — THEY ARE PROVIDING AN OBSTACLE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING. THEY’RE UNABLE TO READ THE LIPS OF THOSE WEARING THEM. THE STAKES ARE ESPECIALLY HIGH IN MEDICAL SETTINGS, PROMPTING ONE HOSPITAL TO COME UP WITH AN INNOVATIVE SOLUTION. CLEAR MASKS. A HOSPITAL SYSTEM IN CHARLOTTE BEGAN FINDING THE MASKS, AT THE URGING OF ONE OF THEIR HEARING-IMPAIRED EMPLOYEES.>> THEY DON’T GET THOSE SUBTLE CUES LIKE A SMILE OR ANYTHING THAT WE DO THAT USUALLY SEND THEM A MESSAGE AND REASSURES THEM. JANE: NOVANT HEALTH IN CHARLOTTE HAS PARTNERED WITH A NORTH CAROLINA COMPANY TO PRODUCE 5,000 OF THOSE REUSABLE CLEAR MASKS. THE CLEAR MASKS WILL BE USED RIGHT AWAY
More than 50 new coronavirus cases reported in Greenville Co., 17 deaths statewide, DHEC says
Five Upstate deaths among state’s total
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control announced Wednesday 235 new cases of the COVID-19 and 17 additional deaths.This brings the total number of people confirmed to have COVID-19 in South Carolina to 12,651 and those who have died to 518.15 of the deaths occurred in elderly individuals in Aiken (1), Darlington (1), Greenwood (1), Horry (1), Lancaster (1), Lee (2), Marlboro (1), Pickens (1), Spartanburg (3), Sumter (1), and York (2) counties. 2 deaths occurred in middle-aged individuals in Berkeley (1) and Charleston (1) counties.The number of new cases by county are listed below.Aiken (2), Allendale (1), Anderson (3), Bamberg (3), Barnwell (1), Beaufort (3), Berkeley (1), Charleston (11), Chester (5), Cherokee (1), Chesterfield (4), Colleton (3), Darlington (3), Dorchester (3), Edgefield (1), Fairfield (4), Florence (6), Greenville (51), Greenwood (2), Horry (17), Kershaw (7), Lancaster (15), Laurens (2), Lee (2), Lexington (18), Marion (1), Marlboro (4), McCormick (1), Newberry (2), Orangeburg (3), Pickens (5), Richland (30), Spartanburg (5), Sumter (11), Williamsburg (1), York (3)Renewed call to wear masks, social distanceAs restrictions are reduced by reopenings and South Carolinians return to their workplaces and participate in recreational activities that might involve crowds, DHEC continued to urge everyone to be vigilant in practicing social distancing and wearing masks to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.This reminder comes amid public health experts’ concerns over the recent rise in COVID-19 data trends in South Carolina.“The more people you expose yourself to, the more you multiply your risk of being exposed to the virus,” said Dr. Linda Bell, state epidemiologist. “There are those who are finding ways to hold graduations and open businesses safely through careful planning and attention to crowd density and safety measures such as wearing masks. When we don’t do those things, we can put ourselves and others at risk, and case counts will rise.”As expected, part of the increase in COVID-19 cases is likely a result of increased testing efforts across the state. But other factors, including gatherings at which people fail to practice safety measures, could be in play as well. There is still a significant risk of being exposed to the COVID-19 virus in a public setting in any community. To reduce the spread, DHEC urges everyone to take the following precautions:Maintain social distancing by staying at least 6 feet away from others Wear a cloth mask that covers your nose and mouth while in public Avoid touching frequently touched items Regularly wash your hands Monitor for symptoms and stay home when sickThe more that South Carolinians take these necessary steps every day to reduce exposures, the more the state can expect to see data trends begin to decrease, showing that COVID-19 transmission is slowing across the state, officials said.Testing in South CarolinaAs of June 1, a total of 230,687 tests have been conducted in the state by both DHEC’s Public Health Laboratory and private labs. DHEC’s Public Health Laboratory is operating extended hours and is testing specimens seven days a week. The Public Health Laboratory’s current timeframe for providing results to health care providers is 24-48 hours.168 Permanent Testing Locations, Over 100 Mobile Testing Events PlannedAs part of DHEC’s ongoing efforts to increase testing in underserved and rural communities across the state, the agency is working with community partners to set up mobile testing clinics that bring testing to these communities. Currently, there are 111 mobile testing events scheduled through July 2, and 168 permanent testing locations across the state with new testing events added regularly. Visit scdhec.gov/covid19testing to find a mobile testing event or permanent testing site near you.Percent Positive Test Trends among Reported COVID-19 CasesAs South Carolina increases testing, there will likely be more laboratory-confirmed cases. The total number of individuals tested statewide yesterday was 5,211 and the percent positive was 4.5%. When the percent positive is low, it may indicate that more widespread testing is being performed and the percent positive may more accurately reflect how much disease is present in the community.Hospital Bed OccupancyAs of Wednesday morning, 3,022 inpatient hospital beds are available and 7,340 are in use, which is a 70.84% statewide hospital bed utilization rate. Of the 7,340 inpatient beds currently used, 433 are occupied by patients who have either tested positive or are under investigation for COVID-19.For the latest information related to COVID-19 visit scdhec.gov/COVID-19. Visit scdmh.net for 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.
COLUMBIA, S.C. —
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control announced Wednesday 235 new cases of the COVID-19 and 17 additional deaths.
This brings the total number of people confirmed to have COVID-19 in South Carolina to 12,651 and those who have died to 518.
15 of the deaths occurred in elderly individuals in Aiken (1), Darlington (1), Greenwood (1), Horry (1), Lancaster (1), Lee (2), Marlboro (1), Pickens (1), Spartanburg (3), Sumter (1), and York (2) counties. 2 deaths occurred in middle-aged individuals in Berkeley (1) and Charleston (1) counties.
The number of new cases by county are listed below.
Aiken (2), Allendale (1), Anderson (3), Bamberg (3), Barnwell (1), Beaufort (3), Berkeley (1), Charleston (11), Chester (5), Cherokee (1), Chesterfield (4), Colleton (3), Darlington (3), Dorchester (3), Edgefield (1), Fairfield (4), Florence (6), Greenville (51), Greenwood (2), Horry (17), Kershaw (7), Lancaster (15), Laurens (2), Lee (2), Lexington (18), Marion (1), Marlboro (4), McCormick (1), Newberry (2), Orangeburg (3), Pickens (5), Richland (30), Spartanburg (5), Sumter (11), Williamsburg (1), York (3)
Renewed call to wear masks, social distance
As restrictions are reduced by reopenings and South Carolinians return to their workplaces and participate in recreational activities that might involve crowds, DHEC continued to urge everyone to be vigilant in practicing social distancing and wearing masks to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.
This reminder comes amid public health experts’ concerns over the recent rise in COVID-19 data trends in South Carolina.
“The more people you expose yourself to, the more you multiply your risk of being exposed to the virus,” said Dr. Linda Bell, state epidemiologist. “There are those who are finding ways to hold graduations and open businesses safely through careful planning and attention to crowd density and safety measures such as wearing masks. When we don’t do those things, we can put ourselves and others at risk, and case counts will rise.”
As expected, part of the increase in COVID-19 cases is likely a result of increased testing efforts across the state. But other factors, including gatherings at which people fail to practice safety measures, could be in play as well. There is still a significant risk of being exposed to the COVID-19 virus in a public setting in any community. To reduce the spread, DHEC urges everyone to take the following precautions:
- Maintain social distancing by staying at least 6 feet away from others
- Wear a cloth mask that covers your nose and mouth while in public
- Avoid touching frequently touched items
- Regularly wash your hands
- Monitor for symptoms and stay home when sick
The more that South Carolinians take these necessary steps every day to reduce exposures, the more the state can expect to see data trends begin to decrease, showing that COVID-19 transmission is slowing across the state, officials said.
Testing in South Carolina
As of June 1, a total of 230,687 tests have been conducted in the state by both DHEC’s Public Health Laboratory and private labs. DHEC’s Public Health Laboratory is operating extended hours and is testing specimens seven days a week. The Public Health Laboratory’s current timeframe for providing results to health care providers is 24-48 hours.
168 Permanent Testing Locations, Over 100 Mobile Testing Events Planned
As part of DHEC’s ongoing efforts to increase testing in underserved and rural communities across the state, the agency is working with community partners to set up mobile testing clinics that bring testing to these communities. Currently, there are 111 mobile testing events scheduled through July 2, and 168 permanent testing locations across the state with new testing events added regularly. Visit scdhec.gov/covid19testing to find a mobile testing event or permanent testing site near you.
Percent Positive Test Trends among Reported COVID-19 Cases
As South Carolina increases testing, there will likely be more laboratory-confirmed cases. The total number of individuals tested statewide yesterday was 5,211 and the percent positive was 4.5%. When the percent positive is low, it may indicate that more widespread testing is being performed and the percent positive may more accurately reflect how much disease is present in the community.
Hospital Bed Occupancy
As of Wednesday morning, 3,022 inpatient hospital beds are available and 7,340 are in use, which is a 70.84% statewide hospital bed utilization rate. Of the 7,340 inpatient beds currently used, 433 are occupied by patients who have either tested positive or are under investigation for COVID-19.
For the latest information related to COVID-19 visit scdhec.gov/COVID-19. Visit scdmh.net for 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.
