’Please come’: Masses show for 1st day of drive-thru coronavirus testing in Myrtle Beach
The coronavirus test used at Tidelands Health’s drive-up clinic is over before you know it. A thin white swab is put deep into your nose, it’s held there for a brief moment, twisted and removed.
In total, the process takes about 10 seconds, but the information from getting tested has greatly informed public health officials who decided how to navigate the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic moving forward.
Hundreds of cars lined up as early as 8 a.m. to get a free coronavirus test at Tidelands Health’s drive-thru testing clinic at TicketReturn.com Field at Pelicans Ballpark on Saturday. South Carolina’s Department of Health and Environmental Control provided the tests.
The line of cars ran from testing tents in the stadium parking lot, then out onto Robert M. Grissom Parkway and rounded the corner onto 21st stretching out toward Highway 17 bypass.
Some folks came out of curiosity, others were concerned about their health and some wanted to help South Carolina achieve its goal of testing 2 percent of the population.
“We wanted to make sure everything is cool and clear and healthy. I thank God for TIdelands Health and stuff for this day,” Aishia Leggette said while waiting in line to get tested.
Aishia and Etta Legette came together to the testing center. When they arrived at the gates of the stadium they were given a packet of information, a form to fill out providing basic demographic and contact information and then instructed to wait in their car until they got to the test tent.
Tests were provided freely and no pre-screening test was required.
The first tent was for giving the form to Tidelands staff before heading to a person in protective clothing waiting to administer the test. The whole process is done inside your car. While the line was long, cars moved at a steady pace.
Results will be returned in about five days, according to Tidelands Health Chief Operating Officer Gayle Resetar.
Resetar said they knew a lot of people were coming given that this is the first large-scale, free testing clinic set up in Horry County.
“People have really wanted to see this happen in Horry County for a while. I think there is a lot of pent-up demand and some anxiety. We are really pleased,” Resetar said. “We just ask people to be patient and work through it with us.”
Don McGrath, 84, got in line early to make sure he was tested to make sure he was safe. When he arrived around 9:45 a.m., the line reached around the block. He was surprised to see so many people waiting for testing.
“We thought we’d come early. We thought Myrtle Beach sleeps in ‘til noon,” McGrath said.
Originally, Tidelands planned to give 750 tests on Saturday, but it was clear from monitoring social media that more would be needed. In total, 1,000 tests were available.
There will be more similar drive-thru testing centers across Horry and Georgetown counties in the coming days. Again, tests are free to anyone who drives into the line and you can have multiple people in your car. Those under 18 years old need to be accompanied by a guardian. No pre-screening is required.
Aishia Legette said it is important for everyone to come get tested that everyone tries to find out if they have the virus.
“Please come. For your sake and the rest of the community’s sake. It is vital and important we all be in the know about this pandemic,” Aishia Legette said.
If you’re wanting to get tested, here are the remaining locations clinic will be held at:
Thursday, June 4, 1-4 p.m., Tidelands Health Family Medicine at Holmestown Road, 4320 Holmestown Road, Myrtle Beach
Friday, June 5, 2-6 p.m., Tidelands Georgetown Memorial Hospital, 606 Black River Road, Georgetown
Thursday, June 11, 1-4 p.m., Tidelands Health Family Medicine at Holmestown Road, 4320 Holmestown Road, Myrtle Beach
Wednesday, June 17, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Belin United Methodist Church, 4182 Highway 17 Business, Murrells Inlet
Wednesday, June 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tidelands Health Rehabilitation Hospital, an affiliate of Encompass Health, 100 Water Grande Blvd., Little River
Thursday, June 25, 1-4 p.m., Tidelands Health Family Medicine at Holmestown Road, Myrtle Beach
Friday, June 26, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Coastal Carolina University, 100 Chanticleer Drive, Conway
This story was originally published May 30, 2020 at 1:59 PM.
