Editor’s note: After moving to weekly updates this spring, we’re restarting daily COVID-19 updates as the state experiences increased cases.
What you need to know this week: Gov. Henry McMaster is looking into potential uses for $2.5 billion in federal COVID relief funds, including broadband expansion, road improvements and water systems across the state.
McMaster’s “accelerateSC” task force made final suggestions Tuesday on how to spend the money, including nearly $500 million for broadband, $400 million for water and sewage upgrades and $72 million to bolster cybersecurity.
If McMaster agrees with the recommendations, he can forward them on to the General Assembly, which will have the final say on how the money is spent.
Other proposed projects include $170 million to jumpstart a $1.8 billion project to widen Interstate 26 between Charleston and Columbia, $27 million for body cameras for state police officers, and up to $350 million to boost capacity at the Charleston port.
Latest COVID-19 data
South Carolina health officials reported 3,715 total cases of COVID-19 Aug. 24, with 2,659 confirmed. A total of 33 new deaths, with 27 confirmed, were reported Tuesday, triple the number of confirmed fatalities compared to the day before.
With 18,736 tests reported, 18.6% were confirmed positive.
Percentage of S.C. residents with at least 1 vaccine: 55.5%
Percentage of S.C. residents who have completed vaccination: 46.8%
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