The state health department warned against complacency with the pandemic as case numbers and deaths have declined. Dr. Linda Bell, the Department of Health and Environmental Control's epidemiologist, said the drop in cases since the winter was encouraging but South Carolinians should continue to be aware of the threats of the pandemic. She added that without the vaccines, cases and, more importantly, deaths would be higher than they are today. "We need to continue to be extremely vigilant, extremely careful about the possibility of resurgences here in South Carolina as we look optimistically towards the end of this pandemic," Bell said during DHEC's weekly call with reporters on Wednesday.