COVID-19 testing expands in rural South Carolina communities

MCBEE, S.C. — Dozens, even hundreds of people in small towns in our area are getting the opportunity to be tested for COVID-19.

The Sandhills Medical Foundation has expanded testing into chesterfield county. On Tuesday, nurses and staff were in Mcbee, which has a population under 1,000 people.

Nikki Stokes is one of the nurses who was set up under a party tent, where people can drive up and be tested while staying in their cars.

“We have offices in several different counties, so we feel it’s important to reach out to other counties as well and offer free testing to them,” Stokes said.

>> Have questions about the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the Carolinas? We have an entire section dedicated to coverage of the outbreak -- CLICK HERE FOR MORE.

It’s not only free, it’s also painless. These new tests shipped from Labcorp, do a quick swab inside the nose, but don’t tunnel into the back of the nasal cavity as other coronavirus tests do.

“It’s much easier. It’s less invasive, not near as painful. So it just takes a few minutes,” Stokes said.

The staff brought about 50 test kits with them on Tuesday and will bring more each week.

Everyone on site is in a mask, and nurses change their gloves after every single test. Even if they test two people in the same car.

Each person makes an appointment by phone ahead of time, answering questions about possible symptoms they may be having, or possible exposure to the virus.

ALSO READ: July projected peak in Charlotte; masks could be required when leaving home

Since Tuesday was the first day of testing, they were taking people without appointments.

Clayton Ferguson drove up to get the test because he said he was thinking of his family.

“Grandkids, you know. Make sure I don’t have anything, because I’ll be out working and in the streets. So I’ll do it to make sure my grandkids don’t get nothing,” he said.

The tests collected from this site will be sent to labs in either Birmingham or Raleigh. Though those cities are a long way away, tests are coming back in under four days. That’s much faster than the turn around for results a few weeks ago.

Staff from the Sandhills Medical Foundation plan to be in Mcbee every Tuesday to test people for COVID-19. They will also be in Pageland on Thursday at the Chamber of Commerce beside the town hall.

>> We’ll bring you LIVE updates on Channel 9 Eyewitness News. Get extended coverage on the free WSOC Now app on Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV.