FOCUS: Best ways to beat COVID-19: Get vaccinated, wear masks

Staff reports  |  The current surge being driven by the delta variant of COVID-19 could be nearing its end — depending on community action, said Dr. David Zaas, CEO of MUSC Health, on Friday.

“Our hope is that we have seen a significant spike that is still rising in many areas of our state,” he said at a briefing. “But it seems to have plateaued over the last few days, and my eternal optimism is that we will be on the other side of this surge in the coming weeks. That’s going to be impacted by how we as a community step up.”

State health officials reported 6,032 total cases of COVID-19 on Friday, with 4,685 confirmed. A total of 38 new deaths, with 31 confirmed, were reported Friday. With 46,627 tests reported, 12.6 percent were confirmed positive.  Meanwhile, six Charleston County schools are operating virtually due to rising virus numbers.

Regardless of the timeline for the community to move past the disease, Zaas spoke to the preparedness of MUSC and the health care system’s ability to handle the surge.

“In contrast to when we started, we have learned so much,” he said. “New treatments are available, our care teams are confident they know how to provide care for their patients and, most importantly, we have adequate supplies to care for the COVID surge.”

How to step up now

Zaas said the biggest way for the community to help mitigate the impact of the pandemic on the health care system and its providers is to continue following CDC guidelines and precautions — wearing masks indoors and getting vaccinated.

Graph via MUSC.

“It’s important to realize this is a marathon, not a sprint,” Zaas said. “More than ever, it is important our community comes together to increase the rate of vaccination to not only save lives in our community, but to protect our hospitals and health care workers that are being strained.”

Meanwhile, North Charleston became the first local government in the state to mandate vaccines for city employees.  Charleston County also is mandating vaccines.

In Charleston County, at least six schools have moved to two weeks of virtual-only learning due to the rising number of virus cases, according to school officials:

• Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary, Chicora Elementary and Murray-LaSaine Montessori schools will be virtual through Sept. 16.
• Charles Pinckney Elementary and Sullivan’s Island Elementary will be firtual through Sept. 15.
• Early College High School will be virtual through Sept. 10. 
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