ABC Columbia
Dec 30, 2020 6:16 PM EST
COLOMBIA (WOLO): As covid-19 infections spread at alarming rates across South Carolina, local leaders and health officials held a virtual press conference Wednesday to urge South Carolinians to stay home this New Year’s Eve.
Since Christmas day, more than 11-thousand new coronavirus cases have been reported in South Carolina and more than 120 deaths. And as those cases rise, so too are the number of hospitalizations.
Prisma Health President and CEO, Mark O’Halla says, “yesterday Prisma had 453 patients hospitalized due to covid across the system. To put that into context, in July the single worst day we had from an inpatient hospitalization perspective for the system was 310.”
It s feared that people getting together for large parties or going to bars will only make matters much worse. The city suggests people stay home, practice social distancing, and engage in virtual celebrations. It s not the right time or the right year for a large get together, Prisma Health President and Chief Executive Officer Mark O’Halla.
O Halla compared the health crisis we re facing to a Category 5 hurricane that would be bearing down on the state. If someone told South Carolina that we had a Category 5 hurricane that was going to make landfall, I guarantee everyone would take action to safeguard their family and get out of the way of the storm, O Halla said. This is a Category 5 type of situation.
Governor McMaster is thinking about lifting the executive order, but Mayor Benjamin says cases are too high. Author: Julia Kauffman (WLTX) Updated: 11:42 PM EST December 18, 2020
COLUMBIA, S.C. As small businesses in Columbia fight to survive this pandemic, many restaurants are hoping the governor lifts the Last Call Order so they can make more money. It makes no sense. COVID is still here before 11 p.m. and it’s here after 11 p.m., said Liz Williamson, a bartender at The Aristocrat.
The Last Call Order prohibits restaurants and bars from selling alcohol after 11 p.m. as a COVID-19 precaution. The Governor s Office told News 19 that Governor McMaster is contemplating getting rid of it soon.