Coronavirus in Greenville, SC

Official Advisories and Updates

The City of Greenville is providing Coronavirus (COVID-19) updates, advisories, and alerts at emergency.greenvillesc.gov. Vaccination information can be found at scdhec.gov/covid19/covid-19-vaccination.

Cases of COVID-19, a new strain of coronavirus, began popping up in the United States in January. On March 15, 2020, the first case in Greenville County was announced. This page will be continually updated with the latest news as well as a list of local resources.

Greenville, SC COVID-19 Updates

September 1, 2022 – The CDC approves the use of updated COVID-19 boosters from Pfizer-BioNTech for people ages 12 years and older and from Moderna for people ages 18 years and older.
July 13, 2022 – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issues an emergency use authorization (EUA) for another COVID-19 vaccine, Novavax.
July 6, 2022 – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorizes state-licensed pharmacists to prescribe Paxlovid to eligible patients, which must be taken within five days after symptoms begin.
June 17, 2022 – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorizes emergency use of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine and the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19 to include use in children down to 6 months of age.
June 15, 2022 – The first Covid-19 vaccine shot for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers moves a step closer to approval following an FDA advisory panel’s approval for Moderna and Pfizer. The final regulatory approval could come as soon as the end of the month.
June 14, 2022 – Dr. Fauci, who is fully vaccinated and has received two booster shots, tests positive for Covid-19 and is experiencing mild symptoms.
June 10, 2022 – The U.S. is expected to end the requirement for airplane travelers to test negative for Covid-19 before entering the country.
May 17, 2022 – FDA approves Covid-19 booster shot for healthy children ages 5 to 11.
May 16, 2022 – The White House announces that 350,000,000 tests have been delivered to households since the plan to ship free at-home tests to people across the country went in effect.
May 4, 2022 – The United States passes one million deaths related to Covid-19.
May 1, 2022 – White House pushes to increase use of Pfizer’s Covid treatment Paxlovid.
March 30, 2022 – The CDC updates its recommendations to allow certain immunocompromised individuals and people over the age of 50 who received an initial booster dose at least 4 months ago to be eligible for another mRNA booster.
March 15, 2022 – The Biden administration announces a roadmap of the cutbacks and shortages that would occur if Covid-19 funding lapses.
February 25, 2022 – The CDC issues new guidance on when Americans should consider wearing masks to protect themselves against Covid-19. Under the new guidance, most Americans can now contemplate removing their masks.
February 11, 2022 – The FDA authorized another Covid-19 monoclonal antibody treatment developed by Eli Lilly.
February 8, 2022 – The CDC reports that over 900,000 people have died from COVID-19 in the United States.
February 2, 2022 – U.S. military begins discharging soldiers who refuse vaccination.
January 31, 2022 – The FDA grants full approval to Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine for those ages 18 and older.
January 19, 2022 – Greenville County reports a cumulative total of 147,276 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 1,613 COVID-related deaths. South Carolina reports a total of 1,236,732 confirmed cases and 15,029 deaths.
January 18, 2022 – Americans can now sign up to get free home Covid-19 tests from the federal government, one day ahead of the scheduled launch of the program.
January 3, 2022 – The United States hit one million new cases of Covid-19 amid the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, a global record.
December 17, 2021 – Health experts are warning that the highly contagious COVID-19 variant, Omicron, is expected to cause the greatest surge in COVID-19 infections to date in the coming months.
December 9, 2021 – Eligibility for Pfizer’s COVID-19 booster shot has been expanded to include 16- and 17-year-olds, making safe and effective boosters now available for everyone ages 16 and older.
December 1, 2021 – The United States identifies its first case involving the Omicron variant.
November 26, 2021 – The World Health Organization identifies a new variant of concern, naming it Omicron. Research continues to say current vaccines are effective in reducing severe disease and death against all COVID-19 variants.
November 19, 2021 – The CDC expands its recommendation for booster shots to include all adults ages 18 years and older who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine at least six months after their second dose.
November 5, 2021 – Pfizer says its oral COVID-19 antiviral pill Paxlovid is able to reduce a patient’s risk of hospitalization or death by 89%.
November 3, 2021 – The CDC approves the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11.
October 20, 2021 – The FDA approves J&J and Moderna vaccination boosters.
September 30, 2021 – Greenville County reports a cumulative total of 100,029 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 1,273 COVID-related deaths. South Carolina reports a total of 689,190 confirmed cases and 10,830 deaths.
September 24, 2021 – The CDC endorsed the recommendation for Pfizer booster shots for certain at-risk groups, clearing the way for millions of Americans to get a booster. It also endorsed the booster for workers in high-risk settings and those in institutional settings
September 17, 2021 – An FDA advisory panel recommended Pfizer booster shots for people 65 and older as well as high risk populations.
September 7, 2021 – Greenville County reports 481 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. South Carolina reports 8,258 new confirmed cases and 53 additional deaths over Labor Day weekend. Children and teenagers have the highest share of new COVID-19 cases in the state.
August 23, 2021 – Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine gets full FDA approval.
August 18, 2021 – South Carolinians who are moderately to severely immunocompromised and received the Moderna or Pfizer immunizations can begin receiving an additional dose of these immunizations to better protect themselves from COVID-19.
August 12, 2021 – Greenville County reports a cumulative total of 79,861 positive COVID-19 cases and 1,049 COVID-related deaths.
August 10, 2021 – South Carolina surpasses 10,000 COVID-related deaths.
July 29, 2021 – South Carolina reports 1,200 new confirmed cases, 667 probable cases, 4 confirmed deaths, and 6 probable deaths.
July 27, 2021 – The CDC updates its mask guidance, recommending that fully vaccinated people wear masks indoors in areas with high transmission of Covid-19.
July 5, 2021 – Health officials continue to urge vaccination as the hyper-transmissible delta variant gains ground across the country. The delta variant is about 60 percent more transmissible than current dominant strain in the the country.
June 23, 2021 – State health officials announce an increase urgency for people to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as the more dangerous new Delta variant is rapidly spreading in the United States, including in South Carolina.
May 13, 2021 – The CDC announces that fully vaccinated people may now go without masks in mosts places.
May 6, 2021 – Governor McMaster directs the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) to terminate South Carolina’s participation in all federal, pandemic-related unemployment benefit programs.
April 30, 2021 – The CDC announces that over 30% of the U.S. population is fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, and more than 43% of the population has received at least one dose of the vaccine.
April 23, 2021 – The FDA and CDC lift the recommended pause on the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine.
April 15, 2021 – More than one in five Americans have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
April 13, 2021 – U.S. health officials recommend a pause on Johnson & Johnson vaccinations in order to investigate the cause of six cases of rare and severe blood clotting. Out of nearly seven million doses of the vaccine, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis clots were reported in six women under the age of 50 between 6 to 13 days after getting a shot.
March 31, 2021 – All South Carolinians aged 16 and older are now eligible for COVID-19 vaccination.
March 8, 2021 – South Carolina moves to Phase 1b of its vaccination plan. People aged 55 and up as well as people with increased risk for severe COVID-19 complications become eligible for vaccination.
March 1, 2021 – Governor McMaster lifts restrictions on large gatherings as well as the ‘last call’ order on alcohol sales. “… I believe these targeted and limited safety measures are no longer necessary,” said Gov. McMaster.
February 27, 2021 – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for a third vaccine, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, for the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019.
February 15, 2021 – Greenville County reports a total of 61,130 positive cases, 1,778 hospitalizations, and 813 deaths. South Carolina reports new totals of 489,018 positive cases, 19,421 hospitalizations, and 8,034 deaths.
February 4, 2021 – Greenville County reports a total of 57,164 positive cases, 1,692 hospitalizations, and 746 deaths. South Carolina reports new totals of 453,878 positive cases, 18,462 hospitalizations, and 7,487 deaths.
February 3, 2021 – South Carolina has received a total of 777,250 vaccine doses and has given 439,888 shots. Any South Carolina resident aged 65 or older, regardless of health status or preexisting conditions, can begin scheduling appointments on Feb. 8.
January 21, 2021 – Greenville County reports a total of 51,285 positive cases, 1,541 hospitalizations, and 636 deaths. South Carolina reports new totals of 404,492 positive cases, 16,869 hospitalizations, and 6,373 deaths.
January 13, 2021 – Any South Carolina resident aged 70 or older, regardless of health status or preexisting conditions, can now schedule their appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
January 6, 2021 – Greenville County reports a total of 40,778 positive cases, 1,329 hospitalizations, and 524 deaths. South Carolina reports new totals of 328,073 positive cases, 14,851 hospitalizations, and 5,498 deaths.
December 28, 2020 – South Carolina receives initial doses of the Moderna vaccine. The state is expected to receive nearly 200,000 doses of both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines by the end of 2020.
December 18, 2020 – Greenville County reports a total of 31,117 positive cases, 1,161 hospitalizations, and 455 deaths. South Carolina reports new totals of 267,076 positive cases, 13,267 hospitalizations, and 4,872 deaths.
December 16, 2020 – South Carolina is in the midst of its phased vaccine plan, starting with Phase 1a which covers health care workers and long-term care staff and residents.
December 15, 2020 – Greenville’s Prisma Health receives almost 10,000 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Health care workers in the COVID-19 unit are administered their first doses of the vaccine.
December 14, 2020 – A nurse in Queens, NY, became the first person in the United States outside of a clinical trial to receive an injection of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. South Carolina receives its first allocation of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
December 10, 2020 – Greenville County reports a total of 27,396 positive cases, 1,088 hospitalizations, and 428 deaths. South Carolina reports new totals of 241,686 positive cases, 12,618 hospitalizations, and 4,627 deaths.
December 3, 2020 – Greenville County reports a total of 24,728 positive cases, 1,043 hospitalizations, and 416 deaths. South Carolina reports new totals of 223,063 positive cases, 12,126 hospitalizations, and 4,466 deaths.
November 25, 2020 – Greenville County reports a total of 22,950 positive cases, 1,006 hospitalizations, and 401 deaths. South Carolina reports new totals of 210,905 positive cases, 11,737 hospitalizations, and 4,317 deaths.
November 12, 2020 – Greenville County reports a total of 19,998 positive cases, 927 hospitalizations, and 372 deaths. South Carolina reports new totals of 190,490 positive cases, 11,084 hospitalizations, and 4,084 deaths.
November 6, 2020 – COVID-19 case numbers in the Upstate counties continue to rise at a steady rate, near or beyond previous spikes in the state. SCDHEC experts warn the state may be entering a fall surge.
November 5, 2020 – Greenville County reports a total of 18,664 positive cases, 875 hospitalizations, and 360 deaths. South Carolina reports new totals of 181,639 positive cases, 10,726 hospitalizations, and 3,992 deaths.
October 29, 2020 – Greenville County reports a total of 17,739 positive cases, 850 hospitalizations, and 350 deaths. South Carolina reports new totals of 168,549 positive cases, 10,404 hospitalizations, and 3,889 deaths.
October 22, 2020 – Greenville County reports a total of 16,799 positive cases, 818 hospitalizations, and 334 deaths. South Carolina reports new totals of 164,609 positive cases, 10,102 hospitalizations, and 3,755 deaths.
October 15, 2020 – Greenville County reports a total of 15,846 positive cases, 776 hospitalizations, and 330 deaths. South Carolina reports new totals of 159,809 positive cases, 9,739 hospitalizations, and 3,593 deaths.
October 8, 2020 – Greenville County reports a total of 15,245 positive cases and 319 deaths. South Carolina reports new totals of 154,755 positive cases and 3,514 deaths.
October 2, 2020 – Gov. Henry McMaster lifts all occupancy limitations in restaurants throughout South Carolina. “South Carolina is open for business” said Gov. McMaster.
October 1, 2020 – Greenville County reports a total of 14,577 positive cases and 307 deaths. South Carolina reports new totals of 148,323 positive cases and 3,400 deaths.
September 24, 2020 – Greenville County reports a total of 13,957 positive cases and 298 deaths. South Carolina reports new totals of 141,686 positive cases and 3,262 deaths.
September 14, 2020 – Greenville County reports a total of 13,328 positive cases and 283 confirmed deaths. South Carolina reports new totals of 132,680 positive cases and 3,077 deaths.
September 3, 2020 – Greenville County reports a total of 12,168 positive cases and 248 confirmed deaths. South Carolina reports new totals of 118,699 positive cases and 2,652 deaths.
September 1, 2020 – The South Carolina DHEC provides new guidelines for limited outdoor visitation at nursing homes and community residential care facilities.
August 24, 2020 – Greenville County reports a total of 11,582 positive cases and 230 confirmed deaths. South Carolina reports new totals of 111,202 positive cases and 2,387 deaths.
August 11, 2020 – Greenville County reports a total of 11,002 cases and 203 deaths.
August 3, 2020 – Gov. McMaster’s past recommended guidelines for restaurants and other establishments that attract groups of people are now mandatory. The governor calls for local governments to enact mask ordinances.
July 27, 2020 – Greenville County reports a total of 9,463 positive cases and 153 deaths. South Carolina reports new totals of 82,071 positive cases and 1,452 deaths.
July 16, 2020 – U.S. reports a record 75,600 new daily cases; the number has more than doubled since June 24. Greenville County reports a total of 7,846 positive cases and 122 deaths. South Carolina reports new totals of 63,880 positive cases and 1,053 deaths.
July 15, 2020 – Gov. Henry McMaster urges schools to reopen for face-to-face instruction in the fall. Greenville County Schools issues a strongly worded statement in response.
July 13, 2020 – Greenville County reports a total of 7,253 positive cases and 105 deaths. South Carolina reports new totals of 58,003 positive cases and 961 deaths.
July 10, 2020 – Gov. Henry McMaster prohibits alcohol sales at bars and restaurants after 11 pm.
June 30, 2020 – Greenville County reports a total of 5,001 positive cases and 81 deaths.
June 23, 2020 – City of Greenville passes mask ordinance requiring customers to wear masks while inside grocery stores and pharmacies. Greenville County reports a total of 3,822 confirmed positive cases and 75 deaths. South Carolina reports new totals of 26,572 positive cases and 673 deaths.
June 17, 2020 – Greenville County reports an increased total of 3,072 confirmed positive cases and 69 deaths. South Carolina reports new totals of 19,990 positive cases and 607 deaths.
June 12, 2020 – Governor McMaster issues Executive Order 2020-40 and lifts restrictions on bowling alleys and retail capacity restraints.
June 11, 2020 – Greenville County reports an increased total of 2,492 positive cases and 67 deaths.
June 10, 2020 – Dr. Bell of the SC DHEC states that she is “… more concerned about COVID-19 in South Carolina than [she has] ever been before.” South Carolina reports 15,759 positive cases and 575 deaths.
June 4, 2020 – Greenville County reports an increased total of 1,854 confirmed positive cases, 13,243 estimated total cases, and 58 deaths. South Carolina reports new totals of 13,005 positive cases and 525 deaths.
May 27, 2020 – SC DHEC Director Rick Toomey resigns, citing family and health reasons. South Carolina reports a total of 466 deaths associated with COVID-19. Nationally, the total number of deaths approaches 100,000.
May 22, 2020 – Gov. McMaster lifts restrictions on attraction facilities.
May 13, 2020 – Gov. McMaster announces that additional close-contact service providers, such as gyms and salons, can begin operating in a limited capacity on May 18.
May 4, 2020 – Gov. McMaster lifts the statewide “work-or-home” order.
May 1, 2020 – Greenville County reports an increased total of 722 positive cases, 4,435 estimated cases, and 37 deaths. South Carolina reports new totals of 6,095 positive cases and 244 deaths.
April 20, 2020 – Gov. McMaster announces that public beaches and certain stores may reopen. Greenville reports an increased total of 517 positive cases and 12 deaths.
April 15, 2020 – Greenville reports an increased total of 400 positive cases and 11 deaths.
April 6, 2020 – Gov. McMaster issues a statewide “home-or-work” order.
April 5, 2020 – Greenville reports a total of 186 positive cases. South Carolina death total increases to 44.
April 1, 2020 – Gov. McMaster issues an emergency order closing non-essential businesses. South Carolina reports three new deaths, bringing the state’s death toll to 22.
March 31, 2020 – South Carolina reports its nineteenth Coronavirus fatality. Total number of cases in Greenville County increases to 106.
March 26, 2020 – South Carolina reports its ninth death related to Coronavirus. Total number of cases in Greenville County increases to 51.
March 25, 2020 – The City of Greenville enacts an 11:00 pm curfew to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus. BMW announces the temporary shutdown of BMW Plant Spartanburg beginning March 29, citing supply issues and health concerns as the driving factors.
March 17, 2020 – City of Greenville issues a local state of emergency. Bars, restaurants, and breweries are limited to providing curbside takeout and drive-through.
March 16, 2020 – South Carolina reports its first Coronavirus associated death.
March 15, 2020 – Officials close all public schools in South Carolina. Greenville County reports first Coronavirus case.
March 13, 2020 – Non-essential city employees are directed to telecommute, access to public buildings is restricted, and the Greenville Zoo is closed.
March 7, 2020 – South Carolina confirms its first two cases of coronavirus. City leadership receives a Coronavirus briefing from a South Carolina DHEC physician.

What You Need to Know

Symptoms – These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure (based on the incubation period of MERS-CoV viruses): fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

Older Adults & Medical Conditions – Older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions may be at higher risk for more serious complications from COVID-19.

Prepare Your Family – The CDC has created a list of what you can do to prepare your family in case COVID-19 spreads in your community.

Restaurants Offering Takeout, Dine-in, and Outdoor Service

Already devoured your rations? Don’t worry — many of Greenville’s restaurants are open for delivery and curbside takeout! Support Greenville restaurants while responsibly practicing social distancing. Visit our list of Greenville, SC restaurants with takeout, delivery, dine-in, and outdoor service.

Discussion Boards

Whether you have a question about the Coronavirus or you just want to chat, visit our Coronavirus COVID-19 discussion forums to share what’s on your mind.

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Last updated at 3:20 pm on Oct. 2, 2022.