The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control recorded 564 newly confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases on Oct. 26 and six new deaths.
The latest data from DHEC shows South Carolina has recorded over 13,000 deaths from COVID-19, and nearly 55 percent of all eligible residents in the state are considered fully vaccinated.
Statewide numbers
New cases reported: 456 confirmed, 108 probable.
Total cases in S.C.: 717,016 confirmed, 177,205 probable.
Percent positive: 5.7 percent.
New deaths reported: Six confirmed, zero probable.
Total deaths in S.C.: 11,737 confirmed, 1,828 probable.
Percent of ICU beds filled (with COVID-19 and other patients): 71.95 percent.
S.C. residents vaccinated
In South Carolina, 62.2 percent of people who are eligible for the vaccine have received one shot, and 54.6 percent of eligible residents are considered fully vaccinated.
Hardest-hit areas
On Oct. 26, Greenville (72), Horry (45) and Spartanburg (38) counties saw the highest totals of newly confirmed cases.
What about the tri-county?
Charleston County had 13 new cases on Oct. 26, while Berkeley had 10 and Dorchester 12.
Deaths
DHEC releases county-level data regarding COVID-19 deaths and the ages of those who have died from the virus on Tuesdays. According to the latest data, at least 224 people in South Carolina died from the virus Oct. 17-23, and their ages ranged from young adult (18-34) to elderly (65 and older).
Greenville County recorded 31 COVID deaths that week — the highest numbers in the state. Health officials have reported the vast majority of patients who are dying from the coronavirus at this stage of the pandemic are unvaccinated.
Hospitalizations
Of the 755 COVID-19 patients hospitalized as of Oct. 26, 219 were in the ICU and 144 were using ventilators.
Variants of concern
DHEC sequences a small, random sample of positive COVID-19 cases each week to determine which variants of concern (alpha, beta, gamma and delta) are circulating in the state. According to the latest data published by the agency on Oct. 13, 3,299 samples have been identified as “variants of concern” over the course of the pandemic. Of those, 2,053 have been identified as the delta variant, which health officials say is now the dominant strain in South Carolina.
What do experts say?
Experts from DHEC continue to urge all residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19 ahead of a possible winter surge in cases.
To find a vaccine clinic near you, go to vaxlocator.dhec.sc.gov.
