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South Carolina is Above National Average of Vaccine Administrations per Doses Received; Dr. Bell Urges Ringing in the New Year at Home
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 30, 2020
COLUMBIA, S.C. — A day after providing an update on COVID-19 vaccines, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) today announced the statewide vaccination percentage per doses received by the federal government is at 31 percent, which is above the national average of 19 percent and nearly double that of other southeastern states.
“We continue to successfully roll out our state’s carefully crafted statewide vaccination plan and the number of Phase 1a individuals who can currently receive vaccine is increasing each week,” said Dr. Linda Bell, South Carolina State Epidemiologist. “Our overarching goal is to prevent further loss of life to this deadly virus, and with our state’s irreplaceable front-line medical workers and vulnerable nursing home and long-term care facility residents and staff receiving vaccine, we are well on our way to meeting that goal.”
Based on current dashboards and reports, the utilization rates (doses administered and doses allocated and/or shipped of Pfizer and Moderna vaccine) indicates:
- 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 vaccine administration percentage, based on doses distributed and first doses administered, is currently 19 percent.
Dr. Bell reminded South Carolinians that while more vaccines continue to arrive in the state, doses are limited in South Carolina like in all states. She also encouraged everyone to remain patient and to follow the guidance of public health officials.
“It will be an unknown amount of time before everyone who would like to be vaccinated can receive vaccine,” Dr. Bell said. “We are calling on all South Carolinians to continue to be patient and understand that an endeavor like this will take many weeks to complete the initial phases and months to achieve our ultimate goal of coverage for the population. When it’s my turn, I’ll be among the first in line waiting to receive the vaccine, but until then, I’ll continue to take the daily actions that protect myself, my loved ones and my community. It is incumbent upon each of us to wear our masks, stay physically distanced, get tested regularly and stay home if we’re ill with any symptoms.”
As residents across South Carolina prepare to celebrate the new year, Dr. Bell warned of potential 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 2020 – the year that has taken so much from so many of us – behind. But I join public health officials across the country and world in warning that New Year’s Eve celebrations could prove to be devastating. The safest way to celebrate, as it has been throughout this holiday season, is to stay home. In a year that has been full of sadness, loss and frustration, we can’t give up now. We must carry our vigilance into 2021.”
South Carolina Daily COVID-19 Update (December 30, 2020)
DHEC today announced the following COVID-19 updates.
Today's cases and deaths (scdhec.gov/COVID19)
- New confirmed/probable total cases: 2,323/87 Summary click here
- New confirmed/probable total deaths: 42/9 Summary click here
Cumulative totals (scdhec.gov/COVID19)
- Confirmed and probable cases: 280,024/23,451
- Confirmed and probable deaths: 4,846/403
- Tests performed for South Carolinians: 3,630,067
Testing opportunities (scdhec.gov/COVID19testing)
- Testing opportunities available statewide: 306
Percent positive (scdhec.gov/COVID19dashboard)
- 7,391 individual test results reported statewide yesterday (not including antibody tests)
- 31.4%% percent positive
Facility reports
- Hospital data (daily): scdhec.gov/COVID19hospitals
- Extended care facility data (Tuesdays and Fridays): scdhec.gov/nursinghomedata
- Assisted living visitation status (Tuesdays): scdhec.gov/nursinghomedata
- Private, public and charter schools (Tuesdays and Fridays): scdhec.gov/covid19schools
The information above as well as extensive reporting on county-level information, demographics and more is available at scdhec.gov/COVID19. The website is updated between 1 p.m.-3 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m.-1 p.m. weekends. Visit scdhec.gov/COVID19vaccine for the latest vaccine information.
Additional information and resources
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