South Carolina COVID-19 deaths rise to 80

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Eight more people have died in South Carolina because of COVID-19, bringing the state’s death toll to 80, officials said Saturday.

A statement from the Department of Health and Environmental Control said at least five of the latest victims were elderly people with underlying health problems. Two other people are described as being middle-aged, but they also had underlying issues with their health.

The state had 144 new cases of the illness caused by the new coronavirus, which brought the statewide total to more than 3,200 people.

At South Carolina State University, officials cited the pandemic for their decision to cancel the regular commencement exercise and hold an online graduation ceremony. The date hasn’t been decided, and it was unclear when the school might hold its next traditional commencement.

“Because we do not know if the country will conquer COVID-19 by July, August or even later, it is not wise for us to give students a date for when the next physical graduation will be held,” said university provost and Learie Luke said in a statement. “As it stands today, we are still under the governor’s executive order of no assembly larger than three people.”