Fall surge of virus looming; Sumter steadies low infection rate

The state's top public health officials are worried about a fall surge in COVID-19 as the state is seeing increases in key indicator areas and the nation is setting new daily records in cases.

Jane Kelly, assistant state epidemiologist, said during a statewide telebriefing with reporters Thursday that new daily cases, hospitalizations and deaths "are all increasing across the country and internationally, and we are no exception." South Carolina has seen daily rates of new cases, the percent of cases testing positive, the number of people being hospitalized and the number of those patients who are on ventilators increasing since August, Kelly said.

In her call to action for South Carolinians to remain vigilant in fighting the spread of the virus, she said the resurgence could "have a profound impact on our health care systems, the economy and school and university operations."

South Carolina saw its sharpest increase in new daily cases during the summer before mask mandates and social distancing rules were implemented and restrictions were put on large gatherings. A decline from those measures began to reverse in late August. Now, the state's seven-day average for new daily cases has hovered above 900 since mid-October, with it breaking 1,000 at the beginning of September and end of October.

Sumter County's seven-day average is trending down after seeing bumps in mid-September and late October, both much smaller than the surge that peaked in July. DHEC has recorded 3,589 confirmed cases and 88 confirmed deaths from Sumter County. While Sumter is the state's 15th most populous county, it currently has the 26th highest rate of infection.

Countries in Europe are returning to shutdowns, and, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. recorded more than 100,000 new cases in a single day for the first time on Nov. 4.

According to DHEC and The Associated Press, the number of people with COVID-19 who are being hospitalized has been rising in almost every region of the state. DHEC data show Clarendon County once again has the highest hospitalization rate in the state. In the county, 1,195 cases have been confirmed, and 67 people have died.

Lee County, a small rural county north of Sumter, has remained with one of the highest rates of infection through the pandemic. There have been 766 confirmed cases and 36 deaths in Lee.

AP reported hospital beds across the state are already more than 80% occupied, and the "percentage of positive tests continues to stay well above 10%, the level where experts worry the virus is not well contained." It was 17.9% on Thursday.

As of Thursday, there have been 172,216 confirmed cases and 3,736 deaths connected to COVID-19.

Hot spots have bounced around the state since March, and the current swell in cases is being largely seen in the Upstate, according to DHEC data.

Kelly worried about the onset of colder months when people will be indoors more often and about the holidays' temptation for family and friends to disregard masks and social distancing.

Without taking the proper precautions, the potential for "skyrocketing cases and deaths is possible," she said.

She urged South Carolinians to get tested before traveling for the holidays and after they get home or attend a group event. College and university students should know their test results before going home to see family and before returning to campus.

She said health officials have seen people contract COVID-19 and the seasonal flu at the same time, which can lead to more serious complications and the potential for hospitals to be overwhelmed.

"People are underestimating this disease and, I think, underestimating how effective wearing masks and social distancing are," she said.

Data from DHEC and the state Emergency Management Division have repeatedly shown that areas where mask use is required have seen greater decreases in new cases than in areas where there is no mandate.

Amid the warnings, cities are both renewing and reneging on their mask ordinances.

Columbia voted Thursday to extend its ordinance requiring people to wear masks and increased the fine for not doing so from $25 to $100. They also moved to require masks be worn in crowded outdoor situations like on sidewalks or while waiting to get into a restaurant or bar.

Next to the capital, Lexington's mask mandate is set to expire Sunday with no plan for it to be renewed. Horry County's mandate ran dry at the end of October despite Myrtle Beach's requests it continue.

Sumter City Council has repeatedly extended its mask mandate. Sumter County Council has been without one through the pandemic but plans to take the matter up again. It was voted down two months ago 3-4 over concerns about overreaching language.

Kelly said masks are important to protect those around you from getting infected in case you are but don't exhibit symptoms.

"We are entering the most dangerous time of the year in terms of COVID," Kelly said. "... Wearing a mask is a personal choice. Of course, we all have individual responsibilities and dominion over our own lives, but I would ask that masks not be a symbol of politics and ask that it's a symbol of caring for others."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.