Sumter Today: Coronavirus update Monday, June 22nd

According to The Associated Press, the Palmetto State is in the top five in the nation for new infections. While public health officials do note that an increase in testing accounts for some of the increased numbers, they also say the rising numbers indicate the virus is still spreading throughout the community.
Since Friday’s new record of 1,081 new confirmed cases were announced, there have been 3,006 new cases announced, including 1,002 on Monday. On Friday, DHEC released updated age demographic data that shows that since April 4, newly reported cases among those aged 21-30 has increased by more than 400%, and there has been a more than 900% increase in newly reported cases among those aged 11-20. On Friday, there were 660 people hospitalized for COVID-19. On Monday, there were 731, a record high. Sumter’s new cases seem to be on a similar trajectory as is being seen statewide, with a record 46 new cases announced in the county on Friday and a total of 88 in the three days following, bringing the total number of people confirmed to have COVID-19 in Sumter County to 825 and those who have died to 21. Clarendon County, while earlier on in the pandemic was a hotspot for both known infections and deaths, is reporting a declines in new cases and deaths from this spring. Public health officials remain vigilant in urging people over the age of 2 to wear a mask in public when social distancing cannot be maintained.