NEWS BRIEFS: State sets pandemic milestones on vaccinations, deaths

An ancient actual milestone near Stonehenge. Photo via Unsplash.

Staff reports  |  The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control  (DHEC) announced Thursday that the state reached a 50 percent vaccination rate among eligible residents. S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster says the milestone was important, but there was still work to do. Some 59 percent of South Carolinians have had at least one vaccination shot.

That work may be around another milestone — confirmation by the state that more than 10,000 South Carolinians have been confirmed to have died from COVID-19. An additional 1,491 deaths are listed as “probable” COVID deaths, meaning the statewide death toll as of Thursday was 11,532, according to DHEC. 

By Friday, state health officials reported another 4,777 total cases of COVID-19 with 3,610 confirmed. A total of 83 new deaths, with 60 confirmed, also were reported Thursday. With 40,559 tests reported, 11.9 percent were confirmed positive.

In other recent news:

AFFA announces new leader. Holly Whitfield is the new executive director of the LGBTQ+ advocacy group Alliance for Full Acceptance.  Whitfield, 52, most recently worked as executive director for Shepherd’s Center of Charlotte, a nonprofit that provides senior services. Before that, she worked with Charlotte’s Time Out Youth, which served LGBTQ residents aged 11 to 20. More in the Charleston City Paper.

Murdaugh exits jail after $10M insurance fraud arrest.  The Murdaugh family saga took another twist Thursday with the arrest of Alex Murdaugh, who reportedly admitted to setting up his own shooting in an insurance fraud scheme.  He returned to rehab after a court hearing. More: AP News  |  The State  |  The New York Times | NPR.

• Everything you need to know about the Murdaugh murders in 2 minutes, Charleston City Paper.

Publix offers big support.  Publix Super Market Charities has donated to two local organizations in recent days — $5,000 to support the community gardening program at Charleston Parks Conservancy and a whopping $135,000 to the Lowcountry Food bank to buy fresh produce for food insecure neighbors it serves.  During Hunger Action Month in September, Publix Super Markets Charities will donate $5.5 million to its ongoing support to alleviate hunger and help local communities, according to a press release.

S.C. Senate plans October special session, masks not on agenda. South Carolina senators plan to return to the Statehouse next month for a special session on spending federal COVID-19 relief money and redistricting. More: AP News  |  The State

Federal labor board rules in favor of Charleston ports agency, Leatherman Terminal.  The union that represents dockworkers at the Port of Charleston cannot stop shipping lines from calling on the Leatherman Terminal in North Charleston, a federal judge ruled on Sept. 16. More: The Post and Courier.

S.C. hospitality industry still feeling worker shortage crunch. Even as unemployment rates decrease in the state and tourism regains strength, the hospitality industry is among those unable to find enough workers. More. Columbia Business Report

Redistricting criticized as lawmakers move ahead.  South Carolina lawmakers are now working on a statewide redistricting plan to redraw congressional and legislative districts based on new 2020 census data.  But some say the process is seriously flawed. There’s a strong contention from the South Carolina Progressive Network and the League of Women Voters of South Carolina that redistricting should be overseen by voters, not politicians.  Meanwhile, the state Senate has had 10 hearings around the state.  House lawmakers continue with hearings this week.  Full story in Statehouse Report.