COVID cases spike, overtake growing flu numbers in SC, new data shows. What to know

Patrick McCreless
·2 min read
10

New reported COVID-19 cases more than doubled and surpassed those of the flu in South Carolina week over week, the latest state data shows.

After being comparatively low for weeks, COVID-19 has returned to South Carolina in force while the state has faced a far more aggressive flu season than usual.

There were 6,046 new cases of COVID-19 reported the week of Nov. 27-Dec. 3, the latest data from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control shows. That’s more than twice the 2,960 cases reported the week prior.

Meanwhile, 3,357 flu cases were reported in the state, up from 3,217 reported the previous week.

South Carolina also saw a rise in COVID-19 related hospitalizations, with 301 reported the week of Nov. 27 compared to 234 a week earlier. Hospitalizations of the flu remained steady, with 281 reported the week of Nov. 27 and a week earlier.

There were nine flu-associated deaths reported in the state the week of Nov. 27, with a total of 30 deaths to date this season. The latest DHEC data shows five COVID-19-associated deaths.

The flu has run rampant in South Carolina this season. The latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention flu map shows South Carolina is one of 12 states with the highest rate of the virus reported this season.

A map showing rates of flu in each state as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A map showing rates of flu in each state as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

To date, 36,562 flu cases have been reported this season, 22 times more than the 1,655 total cases reported at the same point last year.

“A high level of flu activity started much earlier this flu season than it usually does,” Dr. Linda Bell, state epidemiologist, said in a recent DHEC press release. “As families and friends make plans to gather through the rest of the holiday season, we strongly encourage everyone to include a flu shot in their plans.”

DHEC and the CDC recommend that everyone 6 months old and older get vaccinated against the flu. Vaccination to prevent flu is particularly important for people who are at increased risk of complications from the virus, including young children, adults aged 50 years and older, pregnant women and people with certain chronic medical conditions, DHEC says.

For details on where to get flu shots in South Carolina, click here.

And for details on where to get COVID-19 vaccinations in South Carolina, click here.