Protect yourself and your family. Don't use a portable generator, grill, camp stove, or improperly vented heater indoors. It can cause fire and carbon monoxide poisoning. #Florence
SCDHEC
@scdhec
South Carolina's public health and environmental protection agency, offering services in all 46 counties of the state.
SCDHEC’s posts
"As your state epidemiologist and as someone who has studied disease control and prevention for my entire career, I have never been more concerned about the health of our state than I am today. " - Dr. Linda Bell
DHEC announced that the state has surpassed 10,000 lives lost to COVID-19 in the state. Together, we are mourning these losses, the impact it's had on their loved ones, and working to stop more deaths in the future.
Join us in sharing this image in remembrance of the lives lost.
DHEC received this photo of an elderly couple being evacuated by an #EMS crew from a SC coastal nursing home. We are grateful for the incredible crews still assisting with safe medical evacuations. #HurricaneFlorence
We recognize that at this point people are numb to the data, but these stats aren’t simply numbers. They represent people. People who are our family members, friends and loved ones who are sick, hospitalized and dying from this disease.
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Replying to @scdhec
Earlier today, we reported nearly 6,000 people in our state have COVID-19.
While we cannot confirm a number just yet, early data is showing we will eclipse that mark in tomorrow’s report and we’ll likely see these soaring numbers in the days and weeks following New Year’s Day.
The status of #COVID19 in #SouthCarolina does not indicate that cancellation of events or schools is needed at this time. DHEC is constantly monitoring our epidemiological data and consulting with the CDC to stay on top of the situation.
We’ve said it before and we’ll continue to say it: we can end this pandemic if we increase our vaccination rates.
To do that, we need all South Carolinians to do their part in protecting themselves and their loved ones.
Wearing a mask decreases the risk of spreading COVID-19. Your mask protects others from you, and their mask protects you. We can all do our part. Learn more at scdhec.gov/covid19. #StaySCStrong #stayhealthySC
"COVID is killing our loved ones, and it doesn’t care how old or young you are. A majority of these deaths could be prevented." - Dr. Linda Bell, State Epidemiologist
DHEC would like to spotlight the football team for being 100% vaccinated. Thank you for taking this important step to protect your fans, your opponents and your teammates from this deadly virus!
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WATCH - Great insight from @GoTigers_BC HC @coachberry77 on his team's process of getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
The Tigers are 100% vaccinated!
"I started with myself, there was some hesitation but they love this program and they want to be here."
@WLTX @benedict_tigers
"I don't want anyone to have to experience the loss that my family and I have." -Dr. Brannon Traxler on losing her grandmother to COVID-19. #FightTheSpread
Learn more at scdhec.gov/COVID19.
Today, DHEC confirmed SC’s first cases of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19.
DHEC announced 1,952 new confirmed cases, no new probable cases of COVID-19, 10 additional confirmed deaths, no new probable deaths.
Today, DHEC confirmed the state’s first pediatric death associated with COVID-19.
DHEC announced 2,239 new confirmed cases, 7 new probable cases of COVID-19, 18 additional confirmed deaths, four new probable deaths.
Thank you, SC State Bulldogs () for taking the measures to protect your fans, your opponents and your teammates this football season.
Replying to
In one week alone, we have confirmed 68 cases of COVID-19 among students and 17 cases among school employees, and that’s with only a handful of schools that have students and faculty on campus. The first day of school hasn’t begun yet for the majority of school districts.
COVID-19 can be transmitted quickly and easily—even by people who aren’t experiencing symptoms. Next time you go out of your home, be courteous to your neighbor: wear a mask.
Visit scdhec.gov/covid19 for more information. #StaySCStrong
To help provide supplies for healthcare providers responding to #COVID19, SC requested its full allocation of medical equipment from the Strategic National Stockpile. The pallets contained N-95 masks, face shields, surgical masks, gowns and gloves.
scdhec.gov/news-releases/
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#Soldiers w/59th Troop Command and #Airmen w/169th Logistics Readiness Squadron load personal protective equipment & other supplies to be transported & distributed to the 46 counties in SC in support of @scdhec (: Sgt. Tim Andrews) #SCGuard #NationalGuard #TeamSC #Covid_19
We need to unite as a state to protect each other. Ring in the New Year with a renewed commitment to your health and the health of others. Please consider staying home for the New Year so COVID can’t impact you and the people you love.
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Replying to @scdhec
Please find a safe alternative to joining large crowds or groups for New Year’s Eve. Meeting for virtual toasts, playing music over a video message, and a neighborhood countdown where everyone stands at their front door or porch, are a few ways to safely ring in the new year.
On Saturday, DHEC and held a COVID-19 vaccine clinic at Dorman High School in Roebuck. A total of 925 people received vaccines at the school (921) and the gas station next door (4). There were no doses wasted.
DHEC announced 987 new confirmed cases and 9 new probable cases of COVID-19, and 4 additional confirmed deaths.
This brings the total number of confirmed cases to 21,533, probable cases to 15, confirmed deaths to 621, and zero probable deaths.
Replying to
Get vaccinated, follow credible sources of information to help and encourage your family and friends to get their shots.
Talk to your church members, your coworkers, your classmates, and share factual information about why getting vaccinated is the only way to return to normal.
A total of 3,217 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 are announced today and 47 additional South Carolinians have their lost their lives because of this virus. Our state has now suffered 4,673 deaths and exceeded 245,200 cases.
A large part of anxiety comes from thinking that we can control the things that we can’t, but we are not without help during these stressful times.
We can choose our response. Try these tips from to take care of your mental health in the face of uncertainty:
Replying to
The delta variant of the virus is hyper-transmissible, but the available vaccines are effective in preventing severe disease. With the high rates of disease, there is an increasing risk of the emergence of new variants that the current vaccines may not work against.
“Without a corresponding surge in vaccinations to meet this challenge and universal indoor masking in public places, my fear is that more grim milestones are ahead." DHEC Director Dr. Edward Simmer
DHEC announced 2,205 new confirmed cases, 2 new probable cases of COVID-19, 23 additional confirmed deaths, no new probable deaths.
This brings total number of confirmed cases to 60,220, probable cases to 169, confirmed deaths to 984, 9 probable deaths.
Replying to
The COVID-19 pandemic is reaching heights that South Carolina has only experienced once before, in January, which is the apex, to date.
Our epi curve shows that we’re currently experiencing the second-highest rate of new daily cases, and the curve is sharply trending upward.
"It’s our public health duty to raise alerts for people to do more to help reduce disease spread... And I hope no one will say raising concern about an average of 81 lives lost each week is an overblown reaction." - Dr. Linda Bell, State Epidemiologist
"To say COVID-19 only affects the elderly and those with comorbidities is wrong. Those statements are false, simply not true. If you don’t believe me, I have more than a handful of friends who are living proof and would be willing to tell their personal stories." - Dr. Keith
DHEC today announced 451 new confirmed cases and 8 new probable cases of COVID-19, 20 additional confirmed deaths and no new probable deaths.
Recently, the number of deaths reported to VAERS following COVID-19 vaccination has been misinterpreted and misreported.
VAERS alone cannot determine if the reported adverse event was caused by a COVID-19 vaccination. Anyone can report events to VAERS.
Replying to
44 of our 46 counties are at high disease activity levels based on two-week incidence rates. And according to CDC, our entire state is currently experiencing a high level of transmission of COVID.
In a matter of three weeks, COVID-19 hospitalizations statewide have tripled.
DHEC has partnered with
on the "I Wear My Mask For" campaign. Join our staff and share a photo showing who you wear a mask for. #MaskUp #StaySCStrong
View more photos: flic.kr/s/aHsmPiSjFC
DHEC has partnered with on the "I Wear My Mask For" campaign. Join our staff and share a photo showing who you wear a mask for. #MaskUp #StaySCStrong
View more photos: flic.kr/s/aHsmPiSjFC
On Friday, U.S. Congressman spoke with DHEC Lowcountry Region Public Health Director Taylor Lee during a two-day #COVID19 mass testing event held at Trident Technical College in Charleston.
More than 1,700 people were tested at the event.
Replying to
Dr. Linda Bell: “Every one of us has a role to play in stopping COVID-19. This virus does not spread on its own. It’s spread around our state by infected people who carry it wherever they go. By not following public health precautions, many are putting all at risk."
DHEC continues to advocate for the legislature to consider revising the proviso to allow individual school districts, superintendents, and principals to make decisions about requiring masks in consultation with local and state health professionals.
DHEC sends a sincere #thankyou to all of the #publichealth professionals, hospital and healthcare workers, and those on the frontlines of the #COVID19 response efforts for working tirelessly and continuously, today and every day. We appreciate you!
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"For anyone who was on the fence or still undecided about getting the vaccines because they had an Emergency Use Authorization and not full approval, there’s no longer anything to wait for." - Dr. Brannon Traxler, DHEC Public Health Director
"As of today, we have lost 10,996 South Carolinians to this deadly disease. It can not be lost on us that these people who have died are missed every day, and they have family and friends who love them and are deeply affected by their deaths."