What South Carolina counties have the highest COVID-19 case rates within the last week? – WSPA 7News

CHEROKEE COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) Both urban and rural counties in South Carolina top the list for the areas with the highest rate of new COVID-19 cases, according to information updated Monday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

At the top of the list is Cherokee County, with an average of 534.03 new cases, per 100,000 people, within the last week. Following is Richland County, at 525.3 per 100,000 people.

There is an extremely large divide between the areas with the highest and lowest rates, according to the data, with the top county having more than twice the rate of the region with the least.

In South Carolina, five counties are considered to have a medium spread rate, and four are in the low range, according to the most recent data from the CDC. Every county within News13s coverage area Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Horry, Marion and Marlboro is considered to have a high case rate.

Under CDC guidance, people who live in areas rated with a medium level and who are considered at-risk are urged to wear a mask. In areas with high levels,masking is recommendedfor all people regardless of vaccination status in schools and workplaces.

CDC definitionsfor the three categories are based on new case counts within the last week, new COVID-19 hospitalizations and how many hospital beds are currently occupied by those with the virus.

The top five counties with the lowest COVID-19 case rates, per 100,000 people, are:

42. Oconee 204.91

43. McCormick 179.65

44. Greenwood 117.94

45. Abbeville 171.24

46. Saluda 117.23

The top five counties with the highest COVID-19 case rates, per 100,000 people, are:

5. Lexington 480.71

4. Chester 480.36

3. Kershaw 494.36

2. Richland 525.3

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What South Carolina counties have the highest COVID-19 case rates within the last week? - WSPA 7News