State Records Its Millionth COVID Case

Daniel Prince

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Union's hospitalization rate from COVID is highest in the state

The state hit a grim milestone in the pandemic, as there have now been over 1 million COVID cases reported in the state since the pandemic began in March 2020. In that time, there have been over 33,000 hospitalizations and over 14,600 deaths. That works out to around a 3.3% hospitalization rate and a 1.5% death rate from the virus across the state.

Union County has had 5271 cases since the pandemic began, with 377 hospitalizations and 113 deaths. That works out to a 7.2% hospitalization rate, which is highest in the state, and a 2.1% death rate, higher than the state average.

With the December 31st report, Union County saw its highest number of confirmed cases in a single day, with 48, and the second-highest total of overall cases, combining confirmed and probable cases, with 73. The highest total came January 8 last year with 86. The state set new records for total number of cases in a day and in a week, as well. There were 10,629 cases included in the January 1st report.

Hospital numbers have continued to rise, with 1288 hospitalized statewide, with 265 in the ICU and 125 on ventilators. There are now 6 COVID patients at Union Medical Center, up three from the previous report. There are 92 COVID patients in Spartanburg hospitals, with 20 in ICU and 9 on ventilators. Despite the increased numbers, they are still lower than the spike we saw late this summer.

WBCU tracks the daily reports from DHEC and reports it each day at around 5:20 p.m. during the Union Pennzoil Kwik Lube Top 5 at 5.