SC sees more than 8500 new COVID cases and 2 new deaths
SC sees more than 8500 new COVID cases and 2 new deaths Charleston Post Courier
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control reported nearly 8,650 COVID-19 cases and two new deaths related to the virus from May 22 to May 28.
The numbers, which are usually released on Tuesdays, were released a day late due to the Memorial Day holiday May 27.
Statewide numbers
New cases reported: 8,648
Total cases in S.C.: 1,504,967
New deaths reported: 2
Total deaths in S.C.: 17,907
Percent of ICU beds filled (with COVID-19 and other patients): 64.6 percent
Percent positive: 16 percent
S.C. residents vaccinated
In South Carolina, 63.5 percent of people who are eligible for the vaccine have received at least one dose, and 54.9 percent of eligible residents are considered fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.
These numbers reflect all eligible residents in South Carolina, including young children. The latest data from DHEC shows 20.9 percent of children ages 5-11 have at least one vaccine dose.
Hospitalizations
Of the 214 COVID-19 patients hospitalized as of May 30, 28 were in the ICU and eight were using ventilators.
What do experts say?
Cases and hospitalizations have been rising in South Carolina, although they remain low relative to previous spikes.
Tracking by The New York Times shows S.C. at a 55 percent increase in cases over the last two weeks (11th among states), but third among states with an increase of hospitalizations of 72 percent over the last 14 days.
A Post and Courier analysis of DHEC data shows cases increased by 55 percent but hospitalizations are up 90 percent over the last two weeks. The Times uses a daily average of hospitalized patients over seven days in the state while DHEC reports an actual number of patients hospitalized on the date of the report, which could account for the difference in percentages.
Roper St. Francis and the Medical University of South Carolina both reported high levels of positive test rates, with 24.1 percent at Roper and 20 percent at MUSC, which has remained steady.
The tri-county positive rate is 12.3 percent — well above what is considered high, according to Dr. Michael Sweat of the MUSC COVID-19 Epidemiology Intelligence Project.
Hospitalizations are relatively low in Charleston, with 33 at MUSC, seven at Roper St. Francis and 13 across Trident Health.
