| S.C. unemployment claims drop for 5th consecutive week Since March 15, the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce has received 515,595 initial claims and paid out more than $1.35 billion in state and federal benefits. For the week ending May 16, 29,446 claims were filed. Lowcountry hospice provider acquired by national company A national in-home senior care company has acquired Lowcountry Companions, a Mount Pleasant-based provider of home and hospice care. Senior Helpers was founded in 2002 and has hundreds of franchised and owned businesses across the country, including an additional location in Mount Pleasant. | 