The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control reported nearly 3,000 new COVID-19 cases for the week that ended Nov. 26 and eight new deaths for the week that ended Nov. 12.
Statewide numbers
New cases reported: 2,960
Total cases in S.C.: 1,738,379
New deaths reported: eight
Total deaths in S.C.: 18,711
Percent of ICU beds filled (with COVID-19 and other patients): 64.9 percent
Percent positive: 9 percent
S.C. residents vaccinated
In South Carolina, 61.7 percent of people who are eligible for the vaccine have received at least one dose, and 53.6 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 23.2 percent of children ages 5-11 have at least one vaccine dose and 4.4 percent among those under age 5.
Hospitalizations
Of the 221 COVID-19 patients hospitalized as of Nov. 26, 31 were in the ICU and 11 were using ventilators.
What do experts say?
"Recent data that has come out indicate that if in fact you are vaccinated and boosted, compared to an unvaccinated person, there’s a 14 times lower risk of dying in the most recent BA.4/5 (COVID-19 variant) era compared to unvaccinated and at least a three times lower risk of testing positive compared to the unvaccinated individuals." Dr. Anthony Fauci, chief medical advisor to President Biden.
