Coronavirus updates for July 27: 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.
More than 16,000 COVID cases in SC last week
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Tuesday, July 26, reported 16,570 COVID-19 cases and nine coronavirus-related deaths for the week ending July 23. The counts include probable and confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths.
At least 1.6 million coronavirus cases have been reported in South Carolina, and more than 18,000 people have died of the virus since March 2020, according to state health officials.
Data shows COVID-19 cases are up about 13% compared with this time last week, and hospitalizations jumped roughly 13%. As of July 23, an average 512 people in the state were hospitalized with the coronavirus, including 77 patients being treated in intensive care and 23 patients on ventilators, the latest available data shows.
The omicron variant accounted for 100% of coronavirus strains identified in South Carolina during the week of July 16, according to the latest available state data. 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.
More than 52% percent of South Carolinians eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and 60% have received at least one dose, state health data shows.
SC’s updated student vaccine rules leave out COVID shot
South Carolina updated its vaccination rules for students but has left the COVID-19 shot off the list of those needed for the upcoming school year.
Among the new requirements are vaccines to help protect against hepatitis A, polio and chickenpox, The State reported on July 22.
But the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control won’t require that children returning to school in the fall get doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. Health officials have recommended that people ages 5 and older get the shots as the coronavirus continues to spread.
More details about the required vaccines are listed here.
‘Violent’ COVID test required surgery, SC lawsuit says
A COVID-19 test swab hurt a woman so badly that she required surgery, she said.
The “violent” test left her needing several procedures on her sinus cavity and caused lasting injuries, according to the lawsuit filed against the Medical University of South Carolina. In a statement, the health care provider declined to comment.
The woman said she got the test at an MUSC lab in Charleston, McClatchy News reported on July 20.
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