ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – Winthrop University has partnered with the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control to offer free COVID-19 testing to the Winthrop, and surrounding, community at the North parking lot of the Winthrop Coliseum, 1162 Eden Terrace (the lot facing away from campus).
Genetworx now provides free testing Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The testing method uses the newer, pain-free Nares nasal swab.
Due to high volume, testing will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis. Individuals will need to create an account before getting tested. Go to: https://app.auratracker.org/signup/74.
Testing will eventually transition to a COVID-19 vaccine site once a vaccine is approved and available to administer. No COVID-19 public testing is currently available on Winthrop's main campus located off of Oakland Avenue.
Upon arrival, the collection site staff will register you for the test, receive consent from you to collect the sample and then proceed with a nasal swab collection procedure.
Once collected, the sample will be prepared to be sent to the GENETWORx Laboratory in Glen Allen, Virginia. Test results will be available within 48 hours and will be reported to you through your Aura Account.
The testing is available for all ages but parental consent is required for those under 16.
There is no cost to Winthrop to host the testing location, but it will provide many benefits.
“Having a permanent mobile testing location provides much needed access for the community without the delay in appointment availability. Increasing testing frequency provides a more accurate perspective on the prevalence of the virus in our county. I am so proud of Winthrop’s ability to provide a centralized location to facilitate DHEC’s goal of expanding testing convenience in York County as one more layer of response during this pandemic,” said Jackie Concodora, director of health and counseling services at Winthrop.
According to Concodora, patients will remain in their vehicles at all times during the process, and test results can be delivered via the mail or electronically.
"We're very excited to partner with Winthrop University to improve access to testing for COVID-19 in York County," said Scott Thorpe, DHEC's Midlands region public health director. "As with everything in public health, we know that collaboration will always improve our collective impact. Whether its students or local residents, we know that improved access to free testing means we can catch more cases. The more cases we catch, the better we're able to get this disease under control so we can all return to our normal, pre-pandemic lives."
For more information, e-mail support@auratracker.org or visit DHEC's website .
