The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control reported less than 6,400 new COVID-19 cases and four new deaths related to the virus from Sept. 11-Sept. 17.
Statewide numbers
New cases reported: 6,343
Total cases in S.C.: 1,703,439
New deaths reported: Four
Total deaths in S.C.: 18,331
Percent of ICU beds filled (with COVID-19 and other patients): 64.6 percent
Percent positive: 12.8 percent
S.C. residents vaccinated
In South Carolina, 61.1 percent of people who are eligible for the vaccine have received at least one dose, and 53 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 22.8 percent of children ages 5-11 have at least one vaccine dose and 3.3 percent under age 5.
Hospitalizations
Of the 382 COVID-19 patients hospitalized as of Sept. 17, 52 were in the ICU and 17 were using ventilators.
What do experts say?
"The best way to protect yourself from (COVID-19) is to get vaccinated and boosted. Bivalent vaccines are now available that target both Omicron and the original strain of the virus. If you had at least a primary series two months ago or longer, get an updated shot!" said Dr. Tom Frieden, former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
