Oconee COVID deaths eclipse 250

ABC reports confirm that, by last evening, COVID-19 related deaths had topped 800,000, and it comes at a time when the country is experiencing a winter surge in cases.  South Carolina DHEC now pegs Oconee County total deaths at 252–238 of them confirmed; 14 probable.  When the first COVID vaccines were administered last December, many Americans hoped the shots would herald a return to normalcy.  But, since then, an additional 500 thousand Americans have died.  The state DHEC expects testing demand to increase during the days leading up to the Christmas holiday, and this may increase turnaround times for test results.  The state health agency recommends residents who need to be tested to do so on or before Sunday, December 19, to ensure they receive their results before Christmas Eve.  You can check DHEC’s website or call ahead to a testing or vaccine location to check their hours and availability around the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, as times for testing and vaccine clinics may vary.