Coronavirus updates for Jan. 25: Here’s what to know in South Carolina this week
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and vaccines in South Carolina. Check back each week for updates.
SC added more than 6,500 COVID cases last week
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Tuesday, Jan. 24, reported 6,589 COVID-19 cases for the week ending Jan. 21 and 20 coronavirus-related deaths for the week ending Jan. 14.
The counts include probable and confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths.
An estimated 1.8 million coronavirus cases have been reported in the Palmetto State, and just over 19,000 people have died as a result of the virus since March 2020, according to state health officials. Data shows COVID-19 cases fell about 18% compared with this time last week.
As of Jan. 24, 473 people were hospitalized with the coronavirus in South Carolina (with 59 hospitals reporting), including 63 patients being treated in intensive care units, according to the latest totals.
The omicron subvariant BA.5 accounted for about 86% of all COVID-19 strains identified in South Carolina for the week ending Dec. 31, data shows. The DHEC’s Public Health Laboratory conducts sequencing on randomly chosen samples as part of nationwide efforts to find out about new strains of the virus, the agency’s website reads.
The state’s latest vaccination numbers show nearly 54% of eligible South Carolina residents have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and 62% have received at least one dose.
SC sees spike in COVID deaths, DHEC says
The Palmetto State has seen an alarming rise in COVID-19-related deaths in recent weeks, so much so that state health officials are encouraging residents to start masking up again, The State reported.
On Jan. 24, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control reported 20 COVID-19 deaths for the week ending Jan. 14 and 68 deaths in the week prior. Before that, the state recorded 61 deaths, data shows. (Deaths counts are reported for the week prior to last week)
DHEC public health director Dr. Dr. Brannon Traxler said it has been some time since the state has seen a steady increase coronavirus-related deaths.
“We know COVID-19 fatigue is real, but we’re back to dozens of South Carolinians losing their lives every week,” Traxler said on Jan. 20. “Masking up is one of the easiest ways to reduce risk.”
Read the full story here.
‘No needle’ COVID vaccine may offer better protection, study suggests
A new inhaled COVID-19 vaccine was developed in Canada, and early trials suggest it may offer better protection against the virus than traditional injections, McClatchy News reported.
Researchers at McMaster University in Ontario found that the new needle-free vaccines are “far more effective” at triggering the body’s protective immune response than shots, citing the results of pre-clinical trials.
Scientists added that their vaccine could possibly offer protection against the omicron variant and others that emerge.
“Our team has developed a vaccine strategy aimed at circumventing this cycle and the need to constantly update these vaccines by targeting parts of the virus that are resistant to mutation, and inducing strong immunity at the site where infection actually occurs,” Dr. Matthew Miller, who is helping lead the studies, said in a statement.
To learn more about the study, read the full story here.
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