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Fort Jackson Supports Local Community With COVID-19 Testing

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Fort Jackson, South Carolina, supported the Midlands' pandemic efforts by hosting drive-thru COVID-19 testing just outside of the post's Palmetto Falls Water Park.

Historically, the installation provides millions of dollars to the local economy when thousands of family members flock to the post each week to witness Basic Combat Training graduations. Fort Jackson trains roughly 50% of all soldiers and more than 60% of all women entering the Army each year.

A woman wearing personal protective equipment reaches through the driver’s side window of a pickup truck.
Drive-Thru Test
A health care professional reaches into a vehicle to administer a drive-thru COVID-19 test at Fort Jackson, S.C., July 10, 2020.
Photo By: Robert Timmons, Army
VIRIN: 200710-A-ZN169-050C

Army Training Center and Fort Jackson Commander Brig. Gen. Milford H. "Beags" Beagle Jr. recently spoke with Columbia Mayor Stephen K. Benjamin regarding COVID-19 mobile testing opportunities on Fort Jackson. They agreed that hosting a mobile testing site would help reduce stress for off-post testing sites and ensure accurate testing results to help battle and contain the spread of the virus.

"We are all-in to be good community partners," Beagle said.

The post coordinated with the Medical University of South Carolina, to offer those with access to the installation two days of testing free of charge. Roughly 800 total tests were administered at the event. MUSC supplied the medical providers and resources for its mobile testing site.

A soldier wearing a face mask and a military police vest directs traffic.
Traffic Direction
Army Staff Sgt. Danielle Kam, 17th Military Police Battalion, directs traffic during drive-thru COVID-19 testing at Fort Jackson, S.C., July 10, 2020. The installation, in cooperation with the Medical University of South Carolina, offered free testing for local residents.
Photo By: Robert Timmons, Army
VIRIN: 200710-A-ZN169-018C

Fort Jackson currently allows retirees, veterans with Veteran Health identification cards and their beneficiaries to access installation only on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday to help protect soldiers from virus exposure, as part of a "protective bubble," officials said.

Each day of testing was geared for specific groups. Testing was held for soldiers, their family members and the civilian workforce July 8, and testing was available for others with installation access July 10.

"It's extremely important for [retirees and beneficiaries] to come on and get tested," Beagle said. "It's not a 'me' thing, it's a 'we' thing. We need to do the right thing so that we can help protect others."

Trainees were not tested at the mobile sites. Each trainee is tested and quarantined for 14 days upon their arrival to Fort Jackson as they in-process at the installation.

A table holds hand sanitizer, latex gloves and other medical supplies.
COVID-19 Supplies
Supplies used to ensure the cleanliness and safety of providers and patrons sit on a table during drive-thru COVID-19 testing at Fort Jackson, S.C., July. 10, 2020.
Photo By: Robert Timmons, Army
VIRIN: 200710-A-ZN169-058

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control has reported a surge in positive test results in the state the past month. DHEC also recently stated that asymptomatic patients, or those who have the virus but show no or minimal virus signs and symptoms, are also on the rise.

"About 20% testing positive for coronavirus are symptomatic," said Dr. Curtis Franke, president of Doctors Care, the firm that performed the testing for MUSC. He added that about 7-10% of positive tests at similar events across the state are asymptomatic.

People tested at the mobile testing site were able to access their test results online in five to seven days through a link provided by email during the application process. All participants who tested positive were contacted directly by MUSC staff.

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