COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in South Carolina on Dec. 2
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and vaccines in South Carolina. Check back for updates.
More than 650 new COVID-19 cases reported in SC
At least 736,189 people have tested positive for the coronavirus and 12,342 have died in South Carolina since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on Thursday, Dec. 2, reported 657 new COVID-19 cases and 33 coronavirus-related deaths. There were also 442 probable cases and three probable deaths, data show.
At least 433 people in the state were reported hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Dec. 2, including 129 patients being treated in intensive care units and 61 on ventilators. Nearly 5% of hospitalizations across the state are coronavirus-related, data shows.
As of Dec. 2, 5.4% of COVID-19 tests were reported positive. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said 5% or lower means there is a low level of community spread.
Roughly 50% of South Carolinians eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine are fully vaccinated, and 58% have received at least one dose, according to health officials.
SC nurse indicted for faking COVID-19 vaccine cards
A registered nurse and director at a Columbia rehabilitation center faces federal charges after she’s accused of creating fake COVID-19 vaccination cards, The State reported.
A federal grand jury indicted nurse Tammy McDonald on Nov. 23.
McDonald is accused of providing the phony cards to a family member with “anti-vaccination beliefs” and lying to federal agents when confronted about it, according to an indictment made public Thursday, Dec. 2. Her attorney, Jim Griffin, said McDonald created one or two vaccine cards to help her relative.
McDonald entered a not guilty plea and was issued a $10,000 secure bond.
Read the full story here.
Judge blocks COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health workers. How it impacts SC
A federal judge has blocked efforts by President Joe Biden’s administration to require healthcare workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19 — a ruling that impacts South Carolina after Attorney General Alan Wilson joined a lawsuit challenging the move, The State reports.
“If the executive branch is allowed to usurp the power of the legislative branch to make laws, two of the three powers conferred by our Constitution would be in the same hands,” Louisiana U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty wrote in a preliminary injunction Nov. 30, according to The Daily Advertiser.
“If human nature and history teach anything, it is that civil liberties face grave risks when governments proclaim indefinite states of emergency,” Doughty added.
Biden’s mandate, which would require healthcare workers to be fully vaccinated by Jan. 4, received pushback from leaders across several states who sued to stop it from being enforced. Wilson cheered the judge’s decision.
“The Biden Administration has struck out in court yet again,” he said in a statement Tuesday, according to The State. “Our brave healthcare workers should not be subjected to such overreach by a president who wishes to rule by force.”
SCDHEC ‘closely monitoring’ coronavirus omicron variant
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control said it’s keeping a close eye on the newly discovered omicron coronavirus variant, The State reported.
South African doctors first detected the variant last week, and cases have since been reported across the globe. The discovery also triggered new travel restrictions in several countries including the U.S., which has halted travel for non-citizen from eight African countries.
So far, DHEC officials said omicron hasn’t been reported in the Palmetto State.
“At this time, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and DHEC have not identified any cases in South Carolina through sequencing of randomly selected positive samples,” the state health agency said in a statement Monday, Nov. 29.
Public health officials are urging residents to get the COVID-19 vaccine if they haven’t already.
Omicron coronavirus variant is mysterious — but there’s some good news. What to know
How should Beaufort spend COVID-19 relief money? Residents can weigh in
The city of Beaufort has $6.5 million in COVID-19 relief funds coming its way and residents have a say in how the money will be spent, according to The Island Packet.
Residents have until Friday, Dec. 31, to submit ideas on how best to utilize the funds, which were made available via the American Rescue Plan signed into law by President Joe Biden. Preliminary plans announced by City Manager Bill Prokop last month include spending for infrastructure projects and affordable housing grants.
Residents can share their thoughts and comments on digital platform Civil Space, according to the newspaper.
Read the full story here.
Are you eligible for a COVID booster shot in SC? Take our quiz to find out
SC officials raised concerns about this vaccine sign-up system, but DHEC still chose to use it. Why?
All adults can now get a Pfizer or Moderna COVID booster shot. What to know
