COVID-19 pandemic in South Carolina

Disease	COVID-19
Virus strain	SARS-CoV-2
Source
Location	South Carolina, United States
First outbreak	Wuhan, Hubei, China
First reported
Index case
Arrival date	March 6, 2020
Date

The COVID-19 pandemic in South Carolina is part of the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The first confirmed case in South Carolina was reported on March 6, 2020, in Kershaw County.

Timeline

2020

• March 6: The first two cases of COVID-19 in South Carolina were confirmed in Kershaw County and Charleston County.
• March 13: Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency.
• March 15: All public schools were closed statewide.
• April 6: A "Home or Work" order was issued, mandating residents to stay at home unless working or visiting essential businesses.

2021

• January 11: South Carolina began administering COVID-19 vaccines to individuals aged 70 and older.
• March 8: The state expanded vaccine eligibility to individuals aged 55 and older.
• April 12: All South Carolinians aged 16 and older became eligible for vaccination.

Government Response

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has been the primary agency responsible for managing the state's response to the pandemic. Measures have included testing, contact tracing, and vaccination campaigns.

Public Health Measures

The state implemented various public health measures, including mask mandates in certain localities, social distancing guidelines, and capacity limits for businesses and gatherings.

Impact

Healthcare System

The pandemic placed significant strain on South Carolina's healthcare system, with hospitals experiencing surges in COVID-19 patients, particularly during the winter months of 2020-2021.

Economy

The economic impact of the pandemic was substantial, affecting industries such as tourism, hospitality, and retail. Unemployment rates spiked in the early months of the pandemic but have gradually improved as restrictions eased.

Vaccination Efforts

South Carolina's vaccination efforts have been coordinated by DHEC, with the goal of achieving widespread immunity. Vaccination sites have been set up across the state, including mass vaccination events and mobile clinics.

See Also

• COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
• COVID-19 pandemic by country and territory
• Public health emergency

External Links

• South Carolina DHEC COVID-19 Information