Covid-19 vaccine makers are making progress to protect the elderly.

Health experts are pushing for these enhanced vaccines, according to the latest reports.

Older adults are susceptible to infection and at a higher risk of dying.

Their immune systems have lost strength with age.

Researchers are exploring larger doses or adding boosters to vaccine shots for the elderly.

Pfizer, the University of Oxford and others have started testing vaccines in older adults.

Some experimental vaccines may turn out to be better for older individuals, said National Institutes for Health researchers.

New test goal

As positive cases rise, the state increased its testing goal from 110,000 to 165,000 tests a month.

The original goal of 110,000, roughly 2% of the state’s 5.2 million population, was exceeded in May. That goal is increased to 140,000 from June to August and 165,000 the rest of 2020.

Mobile testing clinics have helped covid-19 testing reach many South Carolinians in rural and underserved areas.

To find information for hosting a mobile testing clinic, visit www.scdhec.gov/covid19testing .

1 death here

The Department of Health and Environmental Control Monday announced:

• 1 death in Lexington County and 41 new cases.

• No death but 73 new cases in Columbia and Richland County.

To date, Lexington County has had 1,573 cases and lost 43 lives.

Columbia and Richland County have had 2,777 cases and lost 79 lives.

• The state had 90 new cases, 3 new probable cases and 14 more deaths.

• The total confirmed cases reached 26,567, probable cases 41, and confirmed deaths 673.

11 deaths were elderly individuals in Charleston (1), Chesterfield (1), Fairfield (1), Greenville (1), Greenwood (1), Horry (1), Lexington (1), Marlboro (1), and Spartanburg (3) counties.

3 deaths were middle-aged individuals in Beaufort (1), Chesterfield (1), and Horry (1) counties.

3 deaths were middle-aged individuals in Beaufort (1), Chesterfield (1), and Horry (1) counties.

• As of Sunday, 347,193 tests have been conducted in the state.

824 hospital beds are occupied by covid-19.