More Than 5 Million COVID-19 Tests Performed in SC

More than 5 million COVID-19 tests have been performed in the state, as South Carolinians continue to do their part and follow the recommended actions for protecting public health during this ongoing pandemic.

This includes nearly 59 percent more people tested for the first time since November and 73 percent more South Carolinians who have now been tested more than once. DHEC also announced a change in the way percent positive is calculated for COVID-19 cases.

The change will allow South Carolina percent positive calculations to be more easily compared to those used by federal entities, including the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Percent positive is now calculated by dividing all positive COVID-19 tests by the total number of COVID-19 tests (positive and negative), and then multiplying the result by 100 to get a percent. With the change, the public will notice a big drop in the number representing percent positive. That does not mean the level of spread in the community has decreased. Percent positive will appear to be lower only because it is calculated differently.

Not only will DHEC use this new method going forward, but it will go back and recalculate the percent positive for the entire time COVID-19 has been tracked in South Carolina.

COVID-19 testing in the Upstate (Anderson, Abbeville, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg, and Union counties) includes the sites below. This information is subject to change and is current as of 10 a.m. today. Visit scdhec.gov/covid19 testing for the most current information.

Be Positive You’re Negative
DHEC urges South Carolinians to be positive you’re negative by routinely getting tested if you’re regularly out in the community. It’s especially important to get tested before and after holiday traveling or events. Visit scdhec.gov/findatest for a testing location near you. While testing is important, wearing face masks and social distancing remain key to preventing disease spread.

Free DHEC Testing
DHEC-sponsored testing is free, doesn’t require insurance, and results are available in 72 hours. DHEC‘s testing options have expanded to include shallow nasal testing, an oral swab, or a saliva test at different locations. Pre-registering is recommended. Visit scdhec.gov/gettested.

• February 1 through February 5, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Laurens County Health Department, 93 Human Services Road, Laurens [EARLY MORNING HOURS]
• February 1 through February 5, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Anderson County Health Department, 220 McGee Road, Anderson
• February 1 through February 3, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Greenwood County Health Department, 1736 Main Street South, Greenwood
• February 4, 8:30 a.m.- 11 a.m., Abbeville County Health Department, 905 West Greenwood Street, Abbeville
• February 4, 1 p.m.-3 p.m., McCormick County Health Department, 204 Highway 28, McCormick, SC 29835
• February 5, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Greenwood County Health Department, 1736 Main Street South, Greenwood

Partner Testing
Community partners play an essential role in our state’s COVID-19 testing. Some of these partner events may require a prescreening for symptoms, a referral, or an appointment. DHEC provides as much of this information as possible online at scdhec.gov/covid19testing.

• February 1 through February 7 (Daily, Mon-Sun), 9 a.m.-4 p.m., sponsored by Tour Health, 200 University Ridge, Greenville (Greenville County)
• February 1 through February 5, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., sponsored by Tour Health, 200 McDaniel Avenue, Pickens (Pickens County)
• February 1 through February 5, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., sponsored by Tour Health, 609 North Townville Street, Seneca (Oconee County)
• February 1 through February 5 (Daily, Mon-Fri), 9 a.m.-4 p.m., sponsored by Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, Behind Cherokee Medical Center at 1530 N. Limestone Street, Gaffney (Cherokee County)
• February 1 through February 5 (Daily, Mon-Fri), 9 a.m.-4 p.m., sponsored by Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, Union Medical Center, 322 West South Street, Union (Union County)
• February 1 through February 5 (Daily, Mon-Fri), 9 a.m.-4 p.m. sponsored by Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, Old Dodge Dealership, 1035 North Church Street, Spartanburg (Spartanburg County)
• February 1 through February 5 (Daily, Mon-Fri), 9 a.m.-4 p.m. sponsored by Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, Parking Lot across from the Pelham Medical Center (Old Bank), 2720 Hwy 14, Greer (Greenville and Spartanburg County)
• February 1, 4 AND 5, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., sponsored by SELF Regional Healthcare, Greenwood Medical Park, 303 West Alexander Avenue, Greenwood (Greenwood County)
• February 2 (EVERY Tues), 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m., sponsored by Abbeville Area Medical Center, Abbeville Shopping Center (Old Fred’s Parking Lot and soon Abbeville YMCA), 763 Hwy 28 Bypass, Abbeville (Abbeville County)
• February 1 AND 2, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., sponsored by Healthy Me, Healthy SC, Wofford College, Jerry Richardson Stadium, 601 Cummings St., Spartanburg (Spartanburg County)
• February 2, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., sponsored by Bowers EMS, Inman Farmer’s Market, 10 N. Howard St., Inman (Spartanburg County)
• February 3, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., sponsored by Carolina Health Centers, Gray Court Town Hall, 329 W. Main St., Gray Court (Laurens County)
• February 6 (EVERY Sat), 10 a.m.-2 p.m., sponsored by PRISMA Health Upstate, Brookwood Church, 580 Brookwood Point Place, Simpsonville (Greenville County)
• February 9, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., sponsored by Abbeville Area Medical Center, Savannah Lakes, Monticello Golf Course, 1148 Barksdale Ferry Rd, McCormick (McCormick County)
• February 10, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., sponsored by Carolina Health Centers, Bethlehem Baptist Church, 309 West Main Street East, Ninety-Six (Greenwood County)
• February 20, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., sponsored by Bowers EMS, United Way of Laurens County, 16 Peachtree St., Clinton (Laurens County)
• February 23, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., sponsored by Abbeville Area Medical Center, Savannah Lakes, Monticello Golf Course, 1145 Barksdale Ferry Rd, McCormick (McCormick County)