Community Outreach News

Good Morning DHEC Community Partners,

With cases of COVID-19 trending upwards, DHEC wants all its community partners prepared with up-to-date and accurate in

formation. This week, we look at COVID-19 testing and vaccinations and why they are critical tools in our fight against COVID-19.

Testing

While many people with COVID-19 have mild or no symptoms, it’s still possible they could be infected and pass the disease to friends, family, and loved ones. Meanwhile, others don’t know that they’ve been in close contact (within six feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes) with someone with confirmed COVID-19. Therefore, DHEC continues to provide free community testing events open to anyone who would like to be tested. You can follow the link here to find the nearest COVID-19 testing locations.

Vaccines

The COVID-19 vaccine helps your body to recognize and fight the virus if you come in contact with someone infected, helping to keep you from getting very sick from COVID-19. To get the vaccine, you must make an appointment with someone who is giving it. Locations can include local DHEC vaccine sites, your local pharmacies, and a clinic or doctor’s office. You don’t need health insurance to get the vaccine and it’s free. You don’t need to show an ID or paperwork to prove your age, job, or medical condition. To find the nearest vaccination site near you, click here for the DHEC Vaccine Locator.

Vaccines for Immigrants

To tackle to the COVID-19 pandemic in South Carolina, we must ensure ALL residents of South Carolina have access to COVID-19 test and vaccinations. The COVID-19 vaccine is available for FREE to everyone in South Carolina, including immigrants, REGARDLESS of their immigration status. Here are some frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccines for the South Carolina immigrant population.

To get the most up-to-date and accurate COVID-19 information, please click here. Please share with your community partners and on social media.