What you need to know this week: The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) found an overwhelming number of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths in the month of June were attributed to those who were not fully vaccinated:
- 94% of June’s 5,344 cases
- 86% of June’s 243 hospitalizations
- 90% of June’s 39 deaths
“This data is further proof that vaccinations save lives,” said DHEC public health director Brannon Traxler. “We can’t stress this enough: eligible residents should protect themselves and their loved ones by getting fully vaccinated.”
A person is not fully vaccinated until two weeks after they’ve gotten their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or the single-shot of Janssen, Traxler said. “That two-week period is significant because it allows the vaccine to reach full efficacy, giving an individual the best chance to stave off the virus and its impacts if a breakthrough case occurs.”
Additionally, South Carolina has had 542 breakthrough cases to date, according to a press release from DHEC. While people who have been fully vaccinated can get COVID-19 infection, the illness is much less severe. Source: DHEC
Latest COVID-19 data
South Carolina health officials reported 3,756 total cases of the coronavirus between Saturday, July 17 and Friday, July 23. Eighteen new deaths were reported this week. The percent positive, as of July 16, was 5.5%.
Percentage of S.C. residents with at least 1 vaccine.: 50.1%
Percentage of S.C. residents who have completed vaccination: 44.1%
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