17 SC counties need public masking again as COVID cases skyrocket, CDC says. Here’s where
The number of South counties with recommended public masking for COVID-19 more than doubled over the past week, federal heath statistics show.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s community levels map as of Tuesday shows 17 counties with high levels of COVID-19, up from seven counties a week earlier. This comes as the state has seen a growing surge in new COVID-19 cases over recent months.
The latest map also shows 17 counties with medium levels of COVID-19 and 12 counties with low levels.
The CDC recommends communities with high levels of COVID-19 wear masks indoors in public and on public transportation. It also recommends staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, getting tested if you have symptoms and, if you are at high risk for severe illness, to take additional precautions.
For communities at medium levels, the CDC recommends people wear masks if they have symptoms, have had a positive test or were recently exposed to someone with COVID-19.
The latest South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control statistics show that as of Dec. 24, new COVID-19 cases were up 17.7% over the previous week. The department reported 10 COVID-19-related deaths for the week of Dec. 24.
Completed vaccinations were up 1,125% over the previous week, the DHEC reports.
For information on where to get COVID-19 vaccinations in South Carolina, click here.
Here are the 17 counties with high COVID-19 levels, according to the CDC.
Pickens
Spartanburg
Union
Newberry
Fairfield
Lexington
Richland
Kershaw
Chesterfield
Marlboro
Darlington
Dillon
Marion
Florence
Williamsburg
Dorchester
Hampton
Here are the 17 counties with medium levels of COVID.
Oconee
Anderson
Greenville
Cherokee
Lancaster
Aiken
Orangeburg
Calhoun
Sumter
Lee County
Bamberg
Allendale
Colleton
Charleston
Berkeley
Georgetown
Horry
