The number of new COVID-19 cases reported daily by the state health department continues to creep upward.
On July 22, 474 new confirmed cases of the virus were reported in South Carolina, the most so far this week. More than 498,000 cases have been confirmed in the state since the start of the pandemic.
Data from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control shows 1.8 million people, or 44 percent, of South Carolinians, have completed vaccination regimens. And among those who are fully vaccinated, only 542 breakthrough cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed.
Dr. Brannon Traxler, the state's public health director, said COVID-19 vaccines are a safe and effective way to decrease the spread of the virus.
Statewide numbers
New cases reported: 474 confirmed, 455 probable.
Total cases in S.C.: 498,054 confirmed, 107,536 probable.
Percent positive: 10.8 percent.
New deaths reported: 7 confirmed, 0 probable.
Total deaths in S.C.: 8,708 confirmed, 1,168 probable.
Percent of ICU beds filled: 66.8 percent.
S.C. residents vaccinated
DHEC's vaccine dashboard shows that 49.9 percent of the state's residents have received at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 43.9 percent have completed their vaccinations.
Hardest-hit areas
In the total number of newly confirmed cases, Charleston County (43), Greenville County (49) and Richland County (38) saw the highest totals.
What about tri-county?
Charleston County had 43 new cases on July 22, while Berkeley County had 22 and Dorchester County had 23.
Deaths
DHEC did not report the ages of the seven people who died in the July 22 data.
Hospitalizations
Of the 297 COVID-19 patients hospitalized as of July 22, 79 were in the ICU and 26 were using ventilators.
What do experts say?
Receiving a COVID-19 vaccine does not mean an individual won't get the virus. But Traxler said vaccinated people are better protected from the severe impacts of the virus, which include hospitalization and death.
Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson shots are being administered across the state. Go to vaxlocator.dhec.sc.gov to find a nearby vaccine provider.
