DHEC explains delay in reporting deaths

A system upgrade in the state office of Vital Statistics is, according to DHEC, the explanation for delays in reports of deaths by coroners and other medical certifiers.  Because of the system upgrade issue, DHEC is announcing 254 confirmed and probable COVID-19 deaths of individuals who’ve died during the last several weeks.  Of the confirmed deaths, six were elderly Oconee County residents.  As for the reporting delays, DHEC said this:  “Although the system operated smoothly during trials with the vendor, once the system went live in early January, DHEC’s Vital Records became aware of system glitches and immediately contacted the vendor as well as users of the system to have the problems fixed as quickly as possible.”  The statewide toll of dead from the virus has reached 6,903.