<strong>From staff reports</strong>

Beaufort Memorial (BMH) will host two more free COVID-19 testing events this month in Northern Beaufort County.

The events, in partnership with the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), Beaufort County Sheriff’s Department, Port Royal Police Department and South Carolina National Guard, are part of a statewide effort to provide broad access to testing, especially in rural areas.

Testing will be held from 7 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 16 and Wednesday, Sept. 30 at the Beaufort Memorial Port Royal Medical Pavilion (formerly the Keyserling Cancer Center) at 1680 Ribaut Road in Port Royal.

<strong>Who should get tested</strong>

You and members of your household should consider getting tested if you:

Came back from travel in the last few weeks;

Had out-of-town guests;

Attended any kind of gathering (e.g. wedding, funeral, BBQ, party, family reunion);

Have children heading back to school (kids often don’t have symptoms but can pass the virus on to teachers, classmates, family, etc.);

Think you might “just have a cold or allergies”;

Have a coworker, family or friend with symptoms.

Please note that a negative test result is only a snapshot in time but can help assure you aren’t currently spreading the virus. Incubation for this virus is around seven days, so testing earlier than seven days after exposure may provide a false negative test result.

<strong>Testing and reporting process</strong>

All testing is on a first-come, first-served basis. A physician’s order is not required. Participants are encouraged to complete and print two copies of the COVID-10 testing form which can be found at BeaufortMemorial.org/FreeCOVID-19TestingEvents.

Bring the completed forms to the testing event. Blank forms will also be available onsite.

Beaufort Memorial staff will collect test specimens using kits supplied by DHEC. Tests will be run through DHEC’s state laboratory and BMH staff will notify patients about their results within 48 hours after DHEC provides them.

The BMH Infection Prevention team will call anyone who tests positive and provide detailed instructions for self-isolation, self-care and home disinfection. Those who test negative will receive a text notification or phone call.

Participants should expect to receive results within five to seven days after test collection.