Testing

DHEC's Public Health Laboratory receives samples from healthcare providers to be tested for COVID-19. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved some private labs to also conduct testing for COVID-19. These labs are required to report positive and negative test results for the virus in South Carolina residents to DHEC. Numerical, graphic and mapping summaries regarding testing and the number of observed and projected cases in South Carolina are shown below. Additional details concerning the distribution of cases can be found on the County-Level Data for COVID-19 page.

Starting Saturday September 19, the testing table data can be found on the County-Level Dashboard under the Testing tab.

New COVID-19 Cases Per Day (Epi Curve)

The new COVID-19 cases per day (Epi curve) is located at the bottom of the Coronavirus COVID-19 Cases in South Carolina map at the top of this page.

COVID-19 Deaths in South Carolina Over the Previous 60 Days, by Date of Death

To clearly provide the actual dates of COVID-19-related deaths, DHEC updates daily this graph representing COVID-19 Deaths in South Carolina by Date of Death. This data visualization provides the date that COVID-19 deaths occurred, not the day they were announced, as there can sometimes be a delay in when a death occurred to when it is confirmed and reported publicly. For better visibility, this graph has been updated to show the previous 60 days.

Last updated Sept. 20, 2020

COVID-19 Reported Deaths in South Carolina by Age and Race

Last updated Sept. 18, 2020 - This chart will be updated every Tuesday and Friday.

Pre-Existing Conditions (Confirmed & Probable) Last updated September 8, 2020

To better inform the public about the scope of COVID-19 and its association with various chronic health conditions, DHEC provides a weekly breakdown of COVID-19 cases and 14 commonly seen chronic illnesses of those individuals, including those who have died.

Positive Cases Indicated by Heat Map The 14-day Heat Map displays the most recent reported cases during the past 14-day period and estimates where the current burden is due to recently reported cases. COVID-19 14-Day Heat Map Sept. 6 - Sept. 20, 2020 The heat map indicates reported cases of COVID-19 in the state. Regardless of the number of reported cases within an area, all South Carolinians should take seriously the recommended precautions for protecting against this disease. The cumulative Heat Map shows all historic reported cases of COVID-19. COVID-19 Rolling Heat Map March 4 - Sept. 20, 2020

Percent Positive Trends Among Reported COVID-19 Cases

Percent positive trends among reported COVID-19 cases are now available with the county-level data dashboard.

Summary of COVID-19 Case Reports through September 12 and Projections through October 3

Last updated September 14, 2020

Table 1 presents numbers of COVID-19 cases observed in the ‘Sunday through Saturday’ weeks since March 1 as well as projections of COVID-19 cases through to the week of September 27 – October 3.

For each week, data are presented regarding the number of new cases, the overall number of cases up to that time, the case rate per 100,000 persons up to that point, and an indication regarding whether the numbers were observed (i.e. confirmed cases reported to DHEC) or have been projected.

Table 1 Observed and Projected SC COVID-19 Cases by Week: March 1 to October 3

Table 2 below provides additional perspectives regarding the projected case rate of 2,717 per 100,000 in SC on October 3, by comparing it to case rates already observed as of September 12 in those states that have suffered the greatest burden of COVID-19.

Table 2 Comparing South Carolina’s Projected October 3 COVID-19 Case Rate per 100,000 to Rates Already Observed as of September 12 by Selected Severely Impacted States



Additional Notes and Explanations

DHEC reports laboratory-confirmed cases so that the number of positive tests reported for a particular day is considered to be the number of new cases for that day. However, laboratories are not always able to process and test the samples they receive on the same day they get them. This can relate to the time of day when some samples reach them, and occasionally also to temporary shortages of chemicals needed to perform the tests. Regarding table 2 it is also important to note that uncertainties exist regarding projections made for the coming weeks. For example, since not all persons who are infected are tested, the number of officially reported cases is not identical to the actual number of cases in the population. The modeling and projections shown below come from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), which offers one of the most commonly used models. Predictions made by different models may typically differ as each may depend on slightly different assumptions and use of data. Though the predictions regarding future weeks and months do not match perfectly, they generally provide helpful perspectives regarding the future course of the pandemic.



COVID-19 projections assuming full social distancing through December 2020