A majority of hospitalizations and deaths in SC in June and July were for people not fully immunized for covid-19, according to the state.

An analysis revealed more than 90% of covid-19 cases and deaths in June and 86% of hospitalizations were among individuals who were not fully vaccinated. The SC Department of Health and Environmental Control has determined similar findings for the month of July.

From July 1-31, DHEC reported 26,848 cases among South Carolinians.

Among the 14,262 reported cases where DHEC was able to determine vaccine status, 12,491 (88%) of cases were considered not fully vaccinated.

Among the 550 reported cases who were hospitalized with covid and where DHEC was able to determine vaccine status, 424 (77%) were considered not fully vaccinated.

Among the 110 reported deaths from covid where vaccine status was able to be determined, 87 (79%) were considered not fully vaccinated.

“Obviously, we are seeing an increase in breakthrough cases, hospitalizations, and deaths for the month of July,” said Dr. Brannon Traxler, Public Health Director. “The rise of highly transmissible variants like Delta and lagging vaccination rates have led to increases in these categories overall, including breakthrough cases.”