There were nearly 70 new deaths from COVID-19 in South Carolina during the first week of January, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control reported, and more than 7,800 new cases of COVID-19 for the week that ended Jan. 14.
There were 48 new deaths the previous week, making more than 110 COVID-19 deaths in a two-week period.
Nationally, there were nearly 4,000 deaths for the week that ended Jan. 11, a 44.4 percent increase over the previous week, according to the Community Profile Report from the White House COVID-19 Team.
But new cases of COVID-19 declined from the previous week both in South Carolina and nationally, and the number of patients in the hospital and in the Intensive Care Units also declined, according to public health data.
Deaths tend to lag behind spikes in new infections and hospitalizations by weeks, health officials have said.
Statewide numbers
New cases reported: 7,845
Total cases in S.C.: 1,799,966
New deaths reported: 68
Total deaths in S.C.: 19,069
Percent of ICU beds filled (with COVID-19 and other patients): 74.7 percent
Percent positive: 19.0 percent
S.C. residents vaccinated
As of Jan.14 in South Carolina, 62 percent of people who are eligible for the vaccine have received at least one dose, and 53.9 percent of eligible residents are considered fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.
These numbers reflect all eligible residents in South Carolina, including young children. The latest data from DHEC shows 23.4 percent of children ages 5-11 have at least one vaccine dose and 4.9 percent among those under age 5.
Hospitalizations
Of the 583 COVID-19 patients hospitalized as of Jan. 18, 70 were in the ICU. DHEC no longer reports ventilator usage among hospital patients as of Dec. 20.
What do experts say?
"Just published online in (the journal) Pediatrics: Among children (less than) 5 years old hospitalized with COVID-19, coinfection with another respiratory virus like rhinovirus/enterovirus or RSV doubled the odds of severe disease. Reduce risk by vaccinating, masking and avoiding crowded indoor settings." — Tweet from Dr. Mark W. Kline, chief medical officer for Children's Hospital New Orleans.
