First Oconee COVID death during October

On a weekend when concerns are raised about whether there’s a new surge of COVID-19, an Oconee County death due to the virus is reported by the state health agency.  The death Friday of a middle-aged Oconee resident, so far, is the first listed for the county since last month.  Here are Saturday DHEC numbers:  860 new cases, 21 more deaths.  The statewide death toll is 3,346; the case county is approaching 151 thousand.  The total number of individual test results reported to DHEC Friday statewide was 8,124 and the positivity was 10.6%.  On Friday Dr. Linda Bell, state epidemiologist, urged everyone six months of age and older to get vaccinated against influenza.  And she wants people to get vaccinated as soon as possible.  Preventing the flu is especially important for people who are at risk of complications from COVID-19, including young children, adults aged 50 years and older, pregnant women, and people with certain chronic medical conditions.