COVID updates: 6,992 cases, 41 deaths, 37 children in hospital reported in South Carolina

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control reported 6,992 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19, and 41 deaths on Wednesday, based on information the agency gathered on Monday. 

Overall, South Carolina has now tallied 12,721 confirmed deaths involving a COVID-19 diagnosis as well as 1,994 probable deaths.

Of the 15,587 COVID-19 test results reported Wednesday, 32.7% were positive.

The state cumulative case total is now well over one million with 804,782 confirmed cases and an additional 213,653 probable cases reported.

Greenville County had 707 new confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases reported Wednesday. The most populated of the state's 46 counties, Greenville County accounts for 10.2% of the state's population, according to Census Bureau estimates, and made up 10.1% of the cases.

Pickens County, which accounts for 2.5% of the state's population, accounted for 1.4% (104) of the cases announced Tuesday.

Spartanburg, which accounts for 6.4% of the state's population, accounted for 4.8% (339) of the new cases, and Anderson, which accounts for 3.9% of the population, accounted for 2.0% (145) of the cases.

According to DHEC data Wednesday, there were three confirmed deaths reported in Greenville County, six in Oconee County, three in Anderson County, three in Spartanburg County and one in Pickens County.

Children's hospitals report 37 hospitalized with COVID-19

The South Carolina Children's Hospital Collaborative reported Wednesday that the state has 37 children hospitalized with a COVID-19 diagnosis.

Beds in pediatric intensive-care units in the state are operating between  93% capacity and 67% capacity. Specific information on which hospitals were over capacity wasn't immediately shared by the collaborative, which represents South Carolina's four children's hospitals — Prisma-Upstate's Children's Hospital in Greenville, Prisma-Midlands' Children's Hospital in Columbia, McCleod's Children's Hospital in Florence and the Medical University of South Carolina's Children's Hospital in Charleston.

There are two children on ventilators, according to Wednesday's report, and four children in the emergency department. 

Younger age groups driving the COVID-19 surge

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control data shows that the age group driving this current surge is between 20 and 40. 

This age group makes up most of the new cases and is contributing to the spread of the disease, according to Dr. Linda Bell, the state epidemiologist. 

"With schools returning this week, I am very concerned that we may see an increase in pediatric cases," Bell said during a Wednesday afternoon press conference.

Only 8% of children (5-11) and 41% of  young adults (20-39) are fully vaccinated, according to DHEC. The surge comes from the holiday season, from traveling and socialization where the younger age groups are more likely to not practice the recommendations of social distancing and wearing masks. 

The logistics staff at DHEC is working on all potential options to increase access to testing, Bell said. Leadership is in close contact with Gov. Henry McMaster, she said.

Tamia Boyd is a Michigan native who covers breaking news in Greenville. Email her at tboyd@gannett.com, and follow her on Twitter @tamiamb.