COVID Testing, Flu Shots, Community Resources, & Volunteer Opportunities (Winter 2020)
COVID TESTING
To find a testing location in the state, visit https://scdhec.gov/covid19/find-covid-19-testing-location
For information about COVID, testing, and transportation to get a test, call the DHEC Care line at 855–472–3432.
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Free COVID testing is available at:
DHEC-Tour Health: Seacoast Church, Columbia NE:
631 Sparkleberry Ln, Columbia SC
Visit https://www.tourhealth.com/ for more information and to reserve your appointment time.
*Locations will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas, and New Years Day.
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Reid Chapel AME Church
704 Gabriel Street in the Greenview Community
Wednesday — Saturday 10 am — 4 pm
*Locations will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas, and New Years Day.
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Richland County EMS is offering at-home testing in emergency situations. Residents are encouraged to go to a testing site, but if you can’t — call 911. An EMS triage officer can administer the COVID-19 test. If serious, a decision will be made whether to send an ambulance to transport you to a medical center.
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FLU VACCINE
Everyone is encouraged to get a FLU vaccine; it’s not too late!
DHEC and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that everyone 6 months and older get the flu vaccine. You and your family can get the flu vaccine at many different locations, including health care provider offices, clinics, workplaces, pharmacies, and DHEC health departments.
DHEC will is offering flu vaccines at select health departments. Find a DHEC vaccination site here.
Cost of vaccine at the pharmacy depends on insurance coverage. Most health insurance plans cover the flu vaccine with no or low copay. Find a local pharmacy that provides vaccines.
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Flu and Coronavirus Symptoms: How do I tell them apart?
Unfortunately, the short answer is, you can’t. If you come down with any kind of illness, the best thing to do is call your doctor, explain your symptoms, and self-quarantine until you know what’s going on.
SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, is a new germ we haven’t encountered before, and symptoms can vary from one person to the next.
Because some coronavirus symptoms are similar to those of bronchitis, the common cold, the flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), this year it is likely that a test will be necessary to tell the difference.
MORE ADVICE ON FIGHTING THE FLU FROM THE CDC:
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Evictions, Bill-Payment Help, & a Richland Co. Scholarship
Need Help with Eviction, Foreclosure Notice, or Legal Help and Resources for Emergency Rental Assistance? Contact SC Bar Association & Legal Services at 833–958–2266 or visit here.
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The city of Columbia is offering a 6-month payment plan if you are behind on your water services and get up to 75% off your water bill paid. Contact City of Columbia Water Division at 803–545–3300.
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The South Carolina Association of Counties (SCAC) is pleased to announce its annual Board of Directors Scholarship Program. This program awards $2,500 scholarships on an annual basis to graduating high school seniors. Richland County was chosen in the draw for 2021. One scholarship will be awarded to a resident of Richland County.
Students may apply online here.
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Want to stay up-to-date on COVID information and learn how to Cope with Covid?
Check out the Coping with Covid show hosted by SC resident and TV broadcaster Tre Tailor on Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram @TreTailor. We’ve found this show to be an excellent source of information and comfort during this hard time and we hope you will too!
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Ways to Give and Recieve this Holiday Season (and Beyond)
10th Annual Operation Spread the Joy
The tenth annual Operation Spread the Joy (OSJ) campaign is collecting items to distribute Christmas Eve morning to Columbia’s homeless. OSJ volunteers are available now through Sunday, December 20 at two convenient drop-off locations throughout the Midlands to accept contributions:
- Debi & Co. Salon: 2401-B Dutch Fork Road in Chapin
- Salon Bella: 4711 Forest Drive, Unit 17 in Columbia
Monetary donations, gift cards, and contributions can also be mailed to the Debi & Co. Salon address listed above or sent electronically by visiting OSJ’s Facebook Event Page here.
Items needed:
- Fleece blankets
- Gloves (adult)
- Scarves
- Socks (men’s athletic)
- Ponchos
- Travel Size Hand Sanitizer
- Knit hats (adult)
- Deodorant (men’s)
- Body Spray (men’s)
- Razors
- Chapstick
- Reusable grocery bags
For more information, contact Heather Malovic at 803–414–2115 or Shears74@yahoo.com.
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Food Banks are available at the following locations:
Bethlehem Baptist Church
1218 Lyon Street, Columbia, SC
- Friday, December 25, 2020 10:00 am — 1:00 pm
- Friday, January 01, 2021 10:00 am — 1:00 pm
- Friday, January 08, 2021 10:00 am — 1:00 pm
- Friday, January 29, 2021 10:00 am — 1:00 pm
- Friday, February 05, 2021 10:00 am — 1:00 pm
Sponsored By The Cooperative Ministry
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Rosewood Baptist Church
2901 Rosewood Drive, Columbia, SC
- Monday, December 21, 2020 7:00 pm — 10:00 pm
- Monday, December 28, 2020 7:00 pm — 10:00 pm
- Monday, January 04, 2021 7:00 pm — 10:00 pm
- Monday, January 18, 2021 7:00 pm — 10:00 pm
- Monday, February 01, 2021 7:00 pm — 10:00 pm
The Cooperative Ministry distributes vouchers for Rosewood Baptist Church each week to help prevent hunger in our community.
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Volunteer your time at the Inclement Weather Center with Transitions Homeless Center
Location: 191 Calhoun St, Columbia, SC
Transitions, in partnership with United Way of the Midlands, Salvation Army, and the City of Columbia, operates an Inclement Weather Center (IWC) at 191 Calhoun on nights where the temperature is expected to drop below 40 degrees or when severe weather conditions exist.
Volunteers are needed to help with check-in, distributing linens, and providing activities for the clients. The Inclement Weather Center is open on an as-needed basis from November 1 through March 31. We post a call for volunteers when the conditions warrant its opening, the decision to open or close the IWC is determined using the forecast by the National Weather Service.
Volunteer by contacting Catherine Beltran at cbeltran@transitionssc.org, or check the org’s Facebook page for updates about IWC opportunities.
You can also visit the Eventbrite page for more details.
Thanks for helping save lives!
