More than 3,000 new COVID-19 cases reported in SC

South Carolina – The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) announced 3,137 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and 42 additional confirmed deaths on Friday, Dec. 11.

This brings the total number of people with confirmed cases since the outbreak began to 228,261 and confirmed deaths to 4,332.

It’s by far the most new, confirmed COVID-19 cases reported in one day since the outbreak began here in South Carolina. This is also the first time the state has reported more than 3,000 cases in one day.

“South Carolina, like many other states, is currently experiencing a worsening of this pandemic,” said Dr. Brannon Traxler, DHEC Interim Public Health Director. “While the arriving vaccine is the light at the end of the tunnel, it will be months before there is enough vaccine available for everyone. It is incumbent upon all of us to continue to take actions aimed at saving lives.”

Health officials urge people across the state to do the following to reduce the spread:

• Wear a face mask
• Social distance from others by at least six feet
• Limit contact with those outside your household
• Routine testing if you’re out in the community
• Get tested and stay home when you’re sick
• Adhere to quarantine or isolation guidelines, as directed

“No one else should have to die at the hands of this silent killer,” said Dr. Linda Bell, State Epidemiologist. “It is within all of our powers to stop COVID-19. As we each wait patiently for our turn to receive the COVID-19 vaccines, let’s keep doing our part by wearing our masks and practicing social distancing.”

DHEC also urges everyone to help their contact tracers who may call.

Friday marks an increase in the number of people dying from the virus in South Carolina, as well.

Of the 42 deaths reported, one person was a young adult (18-34 years old), one person was middle-aged (35-64) and 40 were elderly (65 and older).

One death dates back to Oct. 25 and four happened in late November, DHEC reported. But the vast majority of deaths reported Friday happened within the past week.

DHEC also announced 80 new probable cases of the virus and five new probable deaths. That brings the total of probable cases to 16,965 and the total number of probable deaths to 341 in the state since the outbreak began.

DHEC uses a document to show county-by-county numbers of new confirmed and probable cases. Cases are counted by a patient’s zip code of residence.

Below is DHEC’s Key Indicators dashboard. It’s meant to give an “at-a-glance view” of important data points used to measure the spread of COVID-19 in the state.

Data includes information for the current day, previous day, and previous 30 days. That’s used to show the public trends in cases, testing, deaths, hospitalizations, and more.

DHEC says all of these factors need to be considered when evaluating the spread of COVID-19 in South Carolina.