Three days of COVID-19 numbers from state health agency

South Carolina DHEC released three days of COVID-19 tracking this afternoon, to cover Thursday through Saturday.  Deaths to the virus which has surged from the delta variant were 10 reported Thursday; six reported Friday; and eight reported Saturday.  Saturday’s eight included two Pickens County residents.  In three days of reports, there were no Oconee County deaths, although Thursday’s report included one probable Oconee County death.  New confirmed cases reported Thursday across the state:  2,611; for Friday, it was 2,228; and for Saturday, 1,852.  Oconee County new confirmed cases were 39 on Thursday; 37 on Friday; and 33 on Saturday.  Of 21,589 test results received Saturday, the positivity was 12.3%. In a news conference, Gov. McMaster acknowledged the spreading delta variant and recommended South Carolinians get vaccinated. But, in the governor’s view, the state will not retreat on its decision against making masks a requirement in the public schools.