COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) released its latest update this Friday, reporting 11 new cases of measles in the Upstate. This brings the total number of cases in the ongoing outbreak to 973.
While the total continues to climb toward the 1,000-case milestone, health officials and data trends suggest the outbreak’s aggressive pace may finally be losing steam.
A Shifting Trend
The latest report of 11 new cases since Tuesday is a notable decrease from the triple-digit surges seen earlier this year. In January alone, the state confirmed 671 cases; by comparison, the total for February so far stands at roughly 126 cases.
State epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell previously noted that while day-by-day counts have been lower recently—a potential sign of a slowdown—it is still too early to declare the outbreak over. Currently, 105 individuals remain in quarantine, and seven are in isolation, with the latest quarantine period extending through March 15.
New Exposure Sites and Schools
Despite the slower growth, the virus continues to move through public spaces. DPH has identified several new exposure locations in Spartanburg:
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Mabry Middle School: New exposures identified; quarantine numbers are currently being determined.
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Spartanburg Community College (Giles Campus): Feb. 17, 9:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
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Costco (Spartanburg): Feb. 17, 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
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Tabernacle of Salvation Slavic Church: Feb. 15, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
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Westgate Baptist Church: Feb. 11, 6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Officials stress that the risk is limited to these specific times. If you were present, DPH recommends monitoring for symptoms (fever and rash) for up to 21 days following the exposure date.
Vaccination: The Turning Point?
The apparent slowdown coincides with a massive surge in local vaccinations. In January, measles vaccinations in Spartanburg County saw a 162% increase compared to the previous year.
The data continues to highlight the effectiveness of the MMR vaccine:
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Unvaccinated: 906 cases (93% of the total)
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Fully Vaccinated: Only 26 cases
Free MMR Clinic: DPH will activate its Mobile Health Unit to offer no-cost MMR vaccinations on Friday, March 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Grace Community Church (570 Magnolia Street, Spartanburg).
Outbreak at a Glance
| Category | Data |
| Total Cases | 973 |
| Children (Under 18) | 879 |
| Hospitalizations | 20 (to date) |
| Epicenter | Spartanburg County |
For those seeking more detailed information or specific symptom-watch dates, the DPH encourages residents to visit the official Measles Dashboard.
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