At the request of Senator Katrina Shealy, Lexington Medical Center and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control are working together to provide free COVID-19 testing at Batesburg-Leesville Elementary School, located at 403 S. Lee Street in Batesburg-Leesville, on Tuesday, June 23 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Individuals do not need to have symptoms. No appointments are necessary. Clinicians will administer the tests in a drive-thru format. Patients do not need to get out of their cars.

Testing for COVID-19 involves a nasopharyngeal swab, where a clinician places a special 6-inch cotton swab up both sides of the nose and rotates it around for about 15 seconds. DHEC is providing the test kits, which will go to third-party laboratories for processing.

Lexington Medical Center held free COVID-19 screenings earlier this month at White Knoll High School in Lexington and Brookland Baptist Church in West Columbia. More than 1,250 people received screenings at those events.

Lexington Medical Center and DHEC are thankful for the support of the Midlands community throughout the coronavirus pandemic as they work to keep everyone healthy and safe.

Further questions about testing should be directed to DHEC at www.scdhec.gov or (803) 898-3432.