DHEC leaders say state is receiving its fair-share of COVID-19 doses By Chris Joseph | January 20, 2021 at 6:34 PM EST - Updated January 21 at 6:58 AM
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Wednesday, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control leaders worked to dispel the idea South Carolina is receiving fewer doses per capita than its neighbors.
As of Wednesday,
CDC data shows South Carolina is ranked last in the nation with doses distributed from the federal government per 100,000 people.
In response to rising concerns over the issue, state legislators sent a letter to Sen. Lindsey Graham in the past week.
(1/2) This week, I learned of SC’s dismal allotment of vaccines from the CDC. I was critical of it then and still am. Yesterday I signed a letter to our federal delegation to help get South Carolina’s fair share. pic.twitter.com/1XLIuRRXo5 Rep. Russell Fry (@RussellWFry) January 16, 2021
South Carolina first responders push for COVID-19 compensation
Emergency and front line workers are pushing for a new bill to be passed to help them if they test positive for COVID-19. Author: Eleanor Tabone (WLTX) Updated: 11:17 PM EST January 14, 2021
COLUMBIA, S.C. Some South Carolina emergency and front line workers say it s unfair they have to use their personal leave if they get the virus.
First responders regularly place their lives on the line for others. They are some of the most dangerous jobs during a pandemic. Bill Pesature from the South Carolina Professional Firefighting Association says, We are willingly doing these things for the community, for the state of South Carolina.
Vaccine shortage in SC threatens vaccination push by hospitals
Vaccine shortage in SC threatens vaccination push by hospitals By Chris Joseph | January 16, 2021 at 2:47 PM EST - Updated January 16 at 6:18 PM
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Prisma Health is rolling out drive-through COVID-19 vaccination clinics in Columbia and in the Upstate next week.
They may not have the doses to get it done.
Friday evening, the South Carolina Hospital Association published a press release that said DHEC was only able to allocate a quarter of the COVID-19 vaccine doses hospitals requested.
DHEC sent WIS a statement reading:
South Carolina and South Carolina hospitals are continuing to receive the same number of doses of COVID-19 vaccine as in previous weeks. Some hospitals and vaccine providers who place orders for their weekly vaccine allocations have requested four to five times more doses than they had in previous weeks, to accommodate a high demand for the vaccine. However, the state can’
On the Economy…
S.C. Sen. President Harvey Peeler “What we heard from the Governor tonight should be encouraging to all South Carolinians. Because of the General Assembly’s conservative approach to the budget over the past few years, we were prepared for a period of economic uncertainty. I’m glad the Governor voiced his support for splitting up DHEC, we have learned through unfortunate circumstances that DHEC’s size does not allow it to be as effective as it should. I’m encouraged by the Governor prioritizing five days a week face-to-face instruction in our public schools, our students’ futures depend on it.” (
Bill to cover SC first responders under workersâ comp gets new life
VIDEO: Bill to cover SC first responders under workersâ comp gets new life By Paola Tristan Arruda | December 18, 2020 at 9:09 PM EST - Updated December 19 at 9:58 AM
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - South Carolina Lawmakers are renewing an effort to help cover firefighters who get sick from the coronavirus.
Rep. Russell Fry prefilled SC House Bill 3192, after an earlier version of the bill did not make it to a vote during this legislative session. Firefighter advocates say it was due to a shortened legislative session.
The bill which has garnered a lot of bipartisan support, would make a presumption in the law that health care workers and first responders who get the coronavirus, got it from work. They would be eligible to get resources through workersâ comp.