COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Health officials in South Carolina confirmed nearly 2,500 new cases of COVID-19 Friday, the highest daily number seen yet in the state.
In addition to the 2,470 confirmed cases, the Department of Health and Environmental Control also reported 29 additional deaths Friday. The state has seen a total of 210,995 confirmed cases and 4,175 deaths since the start of the outbreak. The number of infections is thought to be much higher because many people have not been tested.
“Our state’s hospital systems are becoming increasingly burdened in caring for all of those who are severely suffering from this deadly virus,” The Department of Health and Environmental Control said in a statement.
“It’s clear that our state and nation are at a pivotal point in this pandemic,” the statement continued.
The health department re-emphasized that the most effective measures to stop the virus included wearing a face mask, getting tested routinely and adhering to quarantine or isolation guidelines.
The state’s coronavirus cases last peaked in July.
Over the past two weeks, the rolling average number of daily new cases has increased by 212.6, an increase of 13.9%.
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