What you need to know this week: Numbers of confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 in South Carolina have spiked since last week, with the delta variant of the virus contributing to an “alarming” number of positive cases across the state, public officials say.
This week’s 1,236 confirmed cases is more than double last week’s confirmed-case total (599). Probable cases remain high as well, with 897 probable cases of the virus this week alone. In total, South Carolina tallied 2,133 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 over the last week, according to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Public health officials warned that the jump in cases showed a reversal after weeks of low cases, even as vaccination rates show slow increases.
“This is alarming,” said Dr. Brannon Traxler, director of public health at DHEC via AP. “Our current situation is tipping in the wrong direction.” The delta variant of the virus will likely become the dominant strain in the state in the next couple weeks, a UofSC infectious disease doc told AP. Source: DHEC, Associated Press
Latest COVID-19 data
South Carolina health officials reported 1,236 total cases of the coronavirus between Saturday, July 10 and Friday, July 16. Thirteen new deaths were reported this week, also more than double last week’s total of six deaths. The percent positive, as of July 16, was 5.5%.
Percentage of S.C. residents with at least 1 vaccine.: 49.5%
Percentage of S.C. residents who have completed vaccination: 43.6%
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