4/29 COVID-19 update: 430 cases; 5.0% positive; 20 deaths

What you need to know: Gov. Henry McMaster spoke Wednesday in support of parent-activists who are calling for school mask mandates to be lifted.

“It’s time to wrap it up or I will do it for them,” he tweeted. McMaster called the mandates “ridiculous,” though some schools, like Charleston Southern University, credit mask requirements for keeping COVID numbers low.

Director of the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) Dr. Edward Simmer said the agency continues to recommend the CDC’s guidelines on social distancing and wearing masks. Source: Live 5 News

It is ridiculous for school districts to tell parents whether or not their child should wear a mask in the classroom, that is up to the parent. Every teacher has had the opportunity to get vaccinated and are safe from the virus. It’s time to unmask our children. pic.twitter.com/FDgFkPUkOF

— Gov. Henry McMaster (@henrymcmaster) April 28, 2021

Latest COVID-19 data

South Carolina health officials reported 430 confirmed cases of the coronavirus on Thursday, with 20 confirmed deaths.

With 11,641 tests reported Thursday, 5.0% were positive.

Confirmed cases in S.C.: 480,804 (+430)
Total positive cases in Charleston County: 42,615 (+23)
Total positive cases in Berkeley County: 17,259 (+18)
Total positive cases in Dorchester County: 17,498 (+21)
Deaths in S.C. from COVID-19: 8,357 (+20)

---

Stay cool. Support City Paper.

City Paper has been bringing the best news, food, arts, music and event coverage to the Holy City since 1997. Support our continued efforts to highlight the best of Charleston with a one-time donation or become a member of the City Paper Club.

Join the club!

Make a donation