COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on April 12

Simone Jasper, Tanasia Kenney
·2 min read

We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and COVID-19 vaccines in South Carolina. Check back for updates.

Cases surpass 470,000

At least 471,855 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina and 8,165 have died since March 2020, according to state health officials.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Monday reported 453 new confirmed COVID-19 cases.

There were no coronavirus-related deaths reported.

At least 511 people were reported hospitalized with COVID-19 on Monday, with 126 of them in intensive care units.

As of Monday, 4% of COVID-19 tests were reported positive. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 5% or lower means there is a low level of community spread.

More than 2.3 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in South Carolina, and more than 950,000 people in the state have “completed vaccination” as of Saturday, when the latest data was reported.

Vaccine ‘fairies’ find and schedule appointments in SC

A pair of sisters have joined as volunteers with “Vaccine Fairy,” an organization helping to secure vaccine slots for strangers across the Carolinas and the U.S..

As “senior fairies,” twins Haley and Tirion Sheafor are up early each morning scouring online portals for CVS, Publix and other local pharmacies in hopes of scheduling a COVID-19 vaccine appointment for someone else.

The pair only joined recently after “Vaccine Fairy” launched in March. With the help of volunteers like the Sheafor sisters, the organization has helped find and schedule more than 10,000 appointments for people across the nation.

“It’s very rewarding,” Haley said. “It’s just nice to know it’s something easy you can do for someone without having to put in a lot of effort.”

Read more about the organization here.

COVID-19 cases rise among Beaufort County’s younger residents

Beaufort County officials are seeing a shift in coronavirus infections as more residents get vaccinated, The Island Packet reported.

A push to prioritize residents aged 65 and older has led to at least 78% of residents in that age group receiving at least one dose of the vaccine, according to S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control data.

However, officials say they’re seeing an uptick in infections among younger residents, with those 30 and younger accounting for more than 40% of new cases in the county last month.

“We’ve seen a swing to some of the younger age groups, 15- to 34-year-olds, with regard to the cases,” said Dr. Michael Kacka, a physician and chief medical officer for COVID-19 at the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Residents 16 and older are now eligible to get vaccinated, and state health officials are encouraging them to schedule an appointment.