As the nation hits one million coronavirus deaths, South Carolina is seeing a surge in cases.
Experts are expecting those numbers to rise as more and more people take vacations this summer. Still, many people are moving on.
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“Going to some parties with my family like sweet 16’s and other family events,” said Ben Guarino who is not concerned about the rise in cases.
“People wanted to just be done and over with it and it’s understandable,” said Dr. Divya Ahuja with Prisma Health.
But, health officials say case numbers are going up again. The number of tests from last month to this month has gone down more than 26 percent, but cases have gone up nearly 67 percent. Home testing is also getting more popular, but it skews overall case numbers.
“They are not reporting those tests and we’ve heard by word of mouth and by people calling, whole families are out with COVID,” said Ahuja.
There is some good news. Hospitalization rates and deaths have both declined with the new variant - BA.2.12.1.
“Very infectious. Very transmissible, but not as deadly,” said Ahuja.
The number of COVID related deaths has dropped 85 percent from last month. According to the CDC, community transmission levels across the state are still low. But, doctors still urge caution with a little more than half of South Carolinians being fully vaccinated.
“One million people have lost their lives. People have lost their jobs, been separated from families, and yet we have a potential solution: vaccines, masks, and lastly hand washing,” said Ahuja. “For large dinners, for large indoor events, I think masks should be put back on. I think one thing we shouldn’t do is be shamed because we’re wearing a mask”.
But - if you take precautions - health experts say you should still consider letting your children go to summer camp and enjoy the summer.
“I don’t know how long we can keep children in a cocoon. Children need to get out and do what a kid will do,” said Ahuja.
DHEC will release new COVID data Tuesday.