COVID-19 testing will be available in another Columbia community this weekend
Prisma Health will offer testing for the coronavirus in three South Carolina locations this weekend, including one in Columbia.
There will be COVID-19 screening at Watkins-Nance Elementary School from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Prisma Health officials said in a news release. Prisma’s also offering people the chance to be tested for active cases of the coronavirus in Upstate locations in Taylors and Seneca.
Testing is being offered to the community in the 29204 zip code because Prisma wants to “reach populations who may not otherwise have access to traditional testing or online virtual visits,” according to the release.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control reported 54 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the 29204 community, but estimates there are 332 more people with the coronavirus in the community.
“Testing is a priority for Prisma Health, especially providing access to communities that need it the most,” officials said in the release. More testing sites are expected to be announced by Prisma in the near future.
The screening is open to the public, and community members will not need a doctor’s order, Prisma officials said.
No appointments are needed to get screened for COVID-19, and testing will be given regardless of ability to pay, according to the release.
Community members are asked to follow social distancing mandates and all participants will be given masks during the process, officials said.
The test results are expected to be returned within four days, and Prisma officials said they will provide follow-up information to all participants, regardless of the test results. Additionally, tips will be made available for the community on isolating at home if sick and how to get more help if symptoms get worse, according to the release.
Prisma’s test sites are in addition to the dozen free mobile screening areas in the Midlands previously announced by DHEC.
Gov. Henry McMaster and state health officials have promised to ramp up the state’s testing capacity dramatically in the next few months, The State reported. South Carolina currently ranks near the bottom of the country in tests conducted per capita, but McMaster and DHEC have said they plan to administer 110,000 tests per month in May and June, including tests for all residents and workers in nursing homes.
On Wednesday, 133 new cases of the coronavirus were reported in South Carolina, bringing the statewide total to 8,030 confirmed COVID-19 cases in all 46 counties, according to DHEC.
DHEC also announced that seven more people died after testing positive for the coronavirus, raising that total to 362.
“There is currently no cure or vaccine,” the South Carolina Emergency Management Division said.
There have been 87,836 combined negative tests at DHEC’s public health laboratory and at private labs.
Symptoms of coronavirus can include a fever, coughing, and difficulty breathing, according to the CDC. Other symptoms that could be signs are chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and new loss of taste or smell, according to DHEC.
Among the emergency warning signs of COVID-19 is trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, and blueish lips or face, the CDC said.
DHEC is encouraging people to practice social distancing to help stop the spread of the virus. Social distancing is staying away from unnecessary interactions with sick people and from large groups of people; it also calls for remaining at home unless it is absolutely necessary to go out.
The best way to prevent infection is to frequently wash hands for 20 seconds; avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth; avoid contact with sick people and clean frequently touched objects with a cleaning spray or wipe, according to the CDC. DHEC also recommends covering your cough, staying home when sick, and disposing tissues and other items that you’ve sneezed or coughed into.
Free online screenings also can be accessed by all South Carolina residents, by going to scdhec.gov/COVID19.
Prisma Health is also offering free access to medical professionals for those who think they may have coronavirus, The State reported. People experiencing COVID-19 symptoms can go to https://www.prismahealth.org/virtual-visit/ and schedule a free online visit, Prisma officials said.
As of Thursday morning, 4,362,996 people worldwide have been diagnosed with coronavirus and 297,465 people have died, while 1,558,462 have recovered, according to Johns Hopkins University. The United States leads the world with 1,390,764 people who have been diagnosed with the novel virus. In the U.S. 84,136 deaths have been reported, including 27,477 in New York City, according to Johns Hopkins.
