COLUMBIA, S.C. — The City of Columbia and South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) are partnering to offer interested individuals COVID-19 vaccinations and test at the city's parks throughout the month of July.
Every Tuesday and Thursday, pop-up clinics will be set up at one of the city's parks and DHEC personnel will be handing out self-administrating test kits and providing vaccinations. The clinics will be open 1-5 p.m. at the following locations:
- Tuesday, July 5, and Thursday, July 7: Melrose Park, 1500 Fairview Dr.
- Tuesday, July 12, and Thursday, July 14: Hampton Park, 1117 Brandon Avenue
- Tuesday, July 19, and Thursday, July 21: Drew Wellness Center, 2101 Walker Solomon Way
- Tuesday, July 26, and Thursday, July 28: Hyatt Park, 950 Jackson Avenue
According to the latest data (June 25, 2022), the number of COVID-19 cases in South Carolina are on the rise with 10,654 cases reported for that week, an increase of 7.3% over the previous week. There were also 277 COVID-19-related hospitalizations reported, an increase of 4.7% over the week before. DHEC will be releasing the numbers for the week ending July 2 on Wednesday, July 6.
- In Richland, Lexington, Newberry counties, the community level is High for the transmission of COVID-19. DHEC recommends that you wear a mask indoors when in public, stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and get tested if your have symptoms of the coronavirus -- which may include headaches, fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, or nausea or vomiting.
- In Fairfield, Kershaw and Orangeburg counties, the community level is Medium. DHEC recommends that you talk to your health care provider about whether you need to wear a mask or take other precautions if you are at high risk for severe illness, stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines, and get tested if you have symptoms.
- Sumter County's community level is Low.