Extensive Testing Plan Unveiled

COVID-19 Testing
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Governor Henry McMaster has unveiled an extensive testing program for South Carolina.

"When this virus hit, the virus was chasing us, but now we are turning the tables and we are chasing the virus," McMaster said.

Rick Toomey, Director of DHEC,  said many organizations will collaborate for the testing, including the South Carolina Hospital Association, MUSC, Prisma Health, federally qualified healthcare centers and many others.

Dr. Joan Duwve, Director of Public Health for DHEC, said as of May 5th, there have been 68,766 tests done in South Carolina, which is approximately 1.25% of the population.  

Their goal is to test 2% of the population (approximately 110,000 people) each month.

The plan has four main targets:

  • Complete universal testing of nursing home residents and staff
  • Expand testing in under-resourced minority and rural communities
  • Institute mass testing in urban areas
  • Find additional testing sites

They also intend to expand contact tracing, which Gov. McMaster described as essential.  

DHEC currently has 230 contract tracers working and hopes to up the number to 1,000 across the state.

More information about testing is available on the DHEC website.  

 

​Stay informed with updates from Prisma Health experts:

Prisma Health

 

 

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