Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
Andererson County saw a surge in new COVID-19 cases last week, which includes the testing period from Dec. 20-23.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, the county had 427 new cases of the virus during those pre-holday testing days.
Over the past 14 days, not including holidays, Anderson County posted 452 cases per 100,000 citizens. Anything greater tha 200 cases per 100,000 citizens is considered "High Incident."
Lack of testing is also a concern, with few appointments for testing within a 25-mile radius and the scarcity of home testing kits leaving many without options to see if their symptoms are indications of infection by the virus.
Anderson County also lags in fully vaccinated rates of those 18 and older, with 47 percent, behind the statewide average of 61 percent. Nationwide, 71 percent in the 18 and older group are reported fully vaccinated.
South Carolina health officials warn that based the omicron variant in could lead to a rapid rise in cases, especially with the holiday travel bringing those into the state from other parts of the country and world.
The potential good news is that the new omicron variant so far appears less dangerous than other strains, especially to those who are fully vaccinated.
Officials will watch hospital occupancy rates statewide to help determine a final diagnosis of the new variant.
In Anderson County, 259 beds out of 407 total beds were occupied, for a rate of 63.6 percent, with 51 of them occupied by COVID-19 patients. In the ICU, 16 of the 46 beds are occupied by COVID-19 patients. There are 61 total ICU beds. Eight of the 22 patients on ventilators were COVID-19 patients. Sixty-two total ventilators are available.
During the holidays state health officials warn of a possible additional complications from seasonal flu if more people don't get their shots.
"While last year may have been an anomaly due to COVID-19, this year's numbers are still significantly higher than numbers we saw pre-pandemic," said Dr. Jane Kelly, assistant state epidemiologist with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental.
"We know there have been talks of a 'twindemic' with COVID and the flu. And that's the last thing we want to see in South Carolina and the rest of the nation. So we strongly encourage all eligible people to get their flu shots, as well as their COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters."
Health officials encourage all eligible citizens to get both a flu shot and COVID-19 shot/booster and DHEC recommends people continue to wear masks when indoors in public places, and to practice social distancing when possible.
As for the highly contagious omicron variant of COVID-19, South Carolina had reported three cases as of Dec. 20 – all found in the Charleston area by scientists at the Medical University of South Carolina. Clemson University announced it had found 10 omicron-variant cases on campus.
"We knew it was only a matter of time before we would see confirmed cases of the omicron variant here in South Carolina," DHEC Director Dr. Edward Simmer stated when DHEC confirmed the first cases Dec. 15.
During the pandemic, Anderson County has had 38,942 cases; 1,421 hospitalizations and 811 deaths.