FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
30 December 2020
COLUMBIA, SC A day after providing an update on COVID-19 vaccines, the Department of Health and Environmental Management (DHEC) in South Carolina today announced that the nationwide vaccination rate per dose received by the federal government 31 percent, which is higher than the national average of 19 percent and nearly double that of other southeastern states.
“We continue to successfully implement the carefully designed vaccination plan of our state and the number of Phase 1a individuals currently able to receive vaccination is increasing every week,” says Dr Linda Bell, South Carolina State Epidemiologist. “Our overarching goal is to prevent further loss of life from this deadly virus, and with our state’s irreplaceable medical workers at the forefront and the vulnerable nursing home and long-term care residents and staff receiving vaccines, we are well on our way to meeting that goal. ”
The usage figures (doses administered and doses assigned and / or dispatched from the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine), based on current dashboards and reports, indicate:
- South Carolina: 35,158 / 112,125 (31%)
- North Carolina 63,500 / 323,125 (20%)
- Georgia: 52,242 / 372,900 (14%)
- Alabama: 20,354 / 128,175 (16%)
Using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Data Tracker, the national percentage of vaccine administration, based on distributed doses and first doses, is currently 19 percent.
Dr. Bell reminded South Carolinians that although there are more vaccines coming into the state, doses in South Carolina are limited, as in all states. She also encouraged everyone to stay patient and follow the guidance of public health officials.
“It will take an unknown amount of time before anyone who wants to be vaccinated can get vaccinated,” Dr. Bell said. ‘We call on all South Carolinans to remain patient and understand that an effort like this will take many weeks to complete the initial phases and months to achieve our ultimate goal of coverage for the population. If it is my turn, I will be one of the first to wait to receive the vaccine, but until then, I will continue the daily actions that protect myself, my loved ones and my community. It is everyone’s duty to wear our masks, stay physically far away, get tested regularly and stay home if we are sick with any symptoms. ”
As residents across South Carolina prepare to celebrate the new year, Dr. Bell warned of possible increases in COVID-19 cases and urged everyone to take steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by staying home: ‘I think it’s fair to say that many of us are looking forward to leaving behind 2020, the year that so many of us have taken so much. But I join public health officials across the country and around the world and warn that New Year celebrations can be devastating. The safest way to celebrate, as it was during this holiday season, is to stay home. In a year full of sadness, loss and frustration, we cannot give up now. We must carry our vigilance until 2021. ”
South Carolina Daily COVID-19 Update (December 30, 2020)
DHEC today announced the following COVID-19 updates.
Today’s Affairs and Deaths (scdhec.gov/COVID19)
Cumulative totals (scdhec.gov/COVID19)
- Confirmed and probable cases: 280.024 / 23.451
- Confirmed and probable deaths: 4,846 / 403
- Tests conducted for South Carolinans: 3,630,067
Testing opportunities (scdhec.gov/COVID19testing)
- Test events available worldwide: 306
Percent positive (scdhec.gov/COVID19dashboard)
- 7 391 individual test results were reported across the country yesterday (excluding antibody tests)
- 31.4 %% percent positive
Facility reports
The information above, as well as extensive reporting on country, demographics and more at the provincial level, is available at scdhec.gov/COVID19. The site has been updated between 13:00 and 15:00 on weekdays and 11:00 to 13:00 on weekends. Visit scdhec.gov/COVID19vaccine for the latest vaccination information.
Additional information and resources
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