SC natives Charlamagne Tha God, Colbert back free COVID-19 testing event in Columbia
The City of Columbia is getting help from two well-known South Carolina natives in its effort to test all residents for COVID-19.
Charlamagne Tha God and Stephen Colbert are among those who are providing support for the free two-day testing event.
Drive-thru testing will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at Benedict College’s Charles W. Johnson Stadium.
“Columbia has set an aggressive goal to test all of our citizens for COVID-19 to effectively slow the spread of the coronavirus across the Midlands of South Carolina,” Mayor Steve Benjamin said in a news release. “As a result we have partnered with some incredible South Carolinians who have made their mark on the national and international stage to promote FREE and convenient testing opportunities next week.”
Charlamagne Tha God is from Moncks Corner and is one of the hosts on “The Breakfast Club,” a nationally-syndicated morning radio show, in addition to being an author and TV personality. He got his start as a radio personality in Columbia on hip-hop and R&B radio stations Hot 103.9 and 93.9 FM.
Colbert is the host of the “Late Show,” and an author who grew up in Charleston and still has family in South Carolina.
In addition to the free testing, essential supplies will also be made available at the event to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus, according to the release. That includes masks, hand sanitizer, soap, and educational materials. All of those items will be placed inside the vehicle as social distancing mandates will be followed, officials said.
Community members will not need a doctor’s order or to set an appointment to be screened for COVID-19.
The test results are expected to be returned within four days, and officials from Prisma Health 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.
At similar drive-thru testing events, the screening involved a clinician inserting a 6-inch long swab into the cavity between the nose and mouth for 15 seconds and rotating it several times, before repeating the process on the other side of the nose.
“Please plan to join us as we bind together to defeat this virus and save lives,” Benjamin said.
Since testing began, 2,140 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Richland County, according to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. That is the second highest amount in South Carolina, behind Greenville County’s 2,779 positive tests.
DHEC estimates show there are additional 13,146 undiagnosed cases of the coronavirus in Richland County.
Through Saturday, there have been 17,955 positive cases of COVID-19 in South Carolina, and 599 coronavirus-related deaths, health officials said.
There have been 252,844 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.
As of Sunday, 7,835,340 people worldwide have been diagnosed with coronavirus and 430,766 people have died, while 3,729,888 have recovered, according to Johns Hopkins University. The United States leads the world with 2,081,296 people who have been diagnosed with the novel virus. In the U.S. 115,521 deaths have been reported, including 30,822 in New York City, according to Johns Hopkins.
