Lexington Medical Center and state health officials are offering free, drive-thru weekday covid-19 testing.

The screenings are Monday – Friday 8 am to 1 pm at 139 Summerplace Drive in West Columbia.

Appointments are required.

Visit LexMed.com/CovidTest to schedule an appointment.

If more than 1 person in a vehicle wants to be tested, a separate appointment must be scheduled.

Community members do not need to have symptoms to be tested and no physician order is required.

Testing involves a nasopharyngeal swab.

A clinician will place a special cotton swab inside both sides of the nose and rotate it for 15 seconds.

The Department of Health & Environmental Control is providing the kits and processing the testing.

Results will be available in about 7 days.

If you have a positive result meaning you have been infected, you will be notified by phone.

If you have a negative result meaning you are uninfected, you will be notified by mail.

Other questions about testing should go to DHEC at　www.scdhec.gov　or call (803) 898-3432.