Free coronavirus testing happening in northeast Columbia for virus ‘hotspot’
A Columbia area that’s one of the hardest hit by the coronavirus in South Carolina will have free testing Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
The Medical University of South Carolina is offering free testing for COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus, at Rice Creek Elementary School, 4751 Hardscrabble Rd, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.
The 29229 and 29223 zip codes, which encompass much of northeast Columbia where Rice Creek Elementary is located, are two of the areas with the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the state, according to the Department of Health and Environment Control.
The 29223 area has 183 known cases, while 29229 has 150. DHEC estimates that there are over 1,200 unknown cases in the area.
S.C. Sen. Mia McLeod, who represents the area, called the each part of northeast Columbia a “hotspot” for the coronavirus and said the results of the test come back in 24 to 72 hours.
MUSC had previously been doing free coronavirus testing at Eau Claire High School. Testing at Eau Claire is no longer being done.
This story was originally published May 6, 2020 at 11:15 AM.