In just one month, Little River Medical Center, Horry County’s largest community health center, has distributed hundreds of at-home rapid COVID-19 tests and N-95 masks across their service area.
Test kits and masks were provided free of charge to the community through the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) COVID-19 Testing Supply Program.
While COVID-19 numbers are currently on the decline in Horry County, access to home tests is difficult for many in the area, especially those populations considered to be at the greatest risk of adverse outcomes related to COVID-19. Barriers include cost, ease of access to retail locations and transportation.
The Department of Health and Human Services is working with all HRSA-supported community health centers like Little River Medical Center to expand access by distributing self-tests at no cost to health-center patients and community members. LRMC’s mobile health and outreach teams have partnered with local community service agencies and faith-based organizations to distribute tests and masks to underserved populations in Horry County.
COVID-19 tests and N95 masks will be replenished periodically and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as supplies last.
