Recent data from the South Carolina Dept. of Health and Environmental Control shows the majority of recent COVID-19 cases, including severe cases, are among people who are not fully vaccinated.
From Aug. 16 through Sept. 15, DHEC reported 149,738 cases among South Carolinians.
We continue to see the majority of severe cases occurring among our fellow South Carolinians who are not fully vaccinated,” said Dr. Brannon Traxler, DHEC Public Health Director. “Not being fully vaccinated puts people at increased risk of being hospitalized or dying if they become infected with COVID-19.
- Among the 1,993 reported cases where officials were able to determine vaccine status, 27,435 (85.8%) of cases were considered not fully vaccinated.
- Among the 1,771 reported cases who were hospitalized with COVID and where officials were able to determine vaccine status, 1,277 (72.1%) were considered not fully vaccinated.
- Among the 760 reported deaths from COVID where vaccine status was able to be determined, 589 (77.5%) were considered not fully vaccinated
Additional data from the analysis shows how many breakthrough cases are among those with preexisting conditions:
- Among the 411 reported cases who were hospitalized with COVID and fully vaccinated (that officials were able to determine the vaccination and comorbid status):
- 388 (94.4%) has preexisting/ comorbid conditions.
- Among the 143 reported deaths from COVID who were fully vaccinated (where officials were able to determine the vaccination and comorbid status):
- 138 (96.5%) had preexisting/ comorbid conditions.
DHEC will continue releasing provisional data twice a month and track breakthrough cases on its website.
In addition to vaccinations, DHEC still strongly encourages the use of masks in public and outdoor settings, especially in schools.
“The evidence is clear: the combination of vaccines and masking has and is saving lives,” Traxler added. “Not only that, but in areas where vaccinations and masking are higher, we see people are better able to return to their regular lives. We want to see that across our state. We owe it to our children and ourselves to follow these two key recommendations so we can finally end this pandemic.”