COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – The number of new COVID-19 cases in South Carolina is now greater than the levels the state saw when it became one of the nation’s hotspots this summer.
More than 2,450 new COVID-19 cases have been reported in South Carolina in each of the past three days. That’s more than any single day of new infections during the July peak of the virus in the state.
Saturday’s 2,715 new infections were the most reported on one day since the pandemic started in March, according to the state Department of Health and Environmental Control.
South Carolina reported 2,538 new cases Sunday and 2,470 on Friday.
The seven-day average of new cases is now above 2,000 for the first time.
South Carolina also reported 43 deaths Sunday from the coronavirus. The death rate is also climbing.
Experts warned cases would rise after Thanksgiving. Several school districts are looking at cutting back on how much time students spend in person learning because of the spike in cases.
Last week, health officials discussed how they would distribute COVID-19 vaccines in the state, but stressed they will first go to the most vulnerable – health care workers who directly deal with infected people and nursing home residents.
In the meantime, unless residents follow guidelines like wearing masks, washing hands, staying apart, being tested frequently if they are in the public and most importantly isolating themselves if they have close contact with an infected person, the pandemic will get worse before it can get better, health officials said.
“The anticipated arrival of safe and effective vaccines brings hope and puts us one step closer toward ending this pandemic, but the general public won’t have access to vaccines for many more months. We must remain committed to the daily prevention methods that work,” DHEC said in a statement.
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