DHEC: More than 7,000 frontline healthcare workers receive COVID-19 vaccine during first week DHEC: More than 7,000 frontline healthcare workers receive COVID-19 vaccine during first week By Jennifer Roberts and Kristin Nelson | December 18, 2020 at 4:23 PM EST - Updated December 18 at 11:26 PM COLUMBIA, S.C. (WMBF) – The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control provided an update on the first week of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in the state. Interim Public Health Director Dr. Brannon Traxler said Friday that South Carolina has reached another sad coronavirus record with 3,778 confirmed cases reported and 29 additional deaths. She warned that healthcare officials are concerned about the devastating numbers as we head into the holidays.