The Clemson University CLIA Lab is now offering COVID-19 PCR saliva testing to members of the Clemson community thanks in part to a grant that allowed for expansion provided to the lab from the South Carolina General Assembly. Originally only available to Clemson University Students, Faculty and Staff, the free testing is now accessible to all members of the greater Clemson community in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. "I think our goal was to always expand and provide resources for the community," said Clemson University professor of bioengineering and director of the CLIA Lab Delphine Dean. "Now we've opened it up so that folks in the community can come and get tested for free. The university is not it's own little bubble island. We are in the community and it is important for everyone to have access to cheap and accurate testing."The saliva testing is being offered weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Memorial Stadium and consist of a saliva collection. Test takers that spoke to WYFF News 4 today said the process only took 3 to 5 minutes from entry to exit. "It was easy. Easy to get a QR code, easy to register, easy to park and walk up," Clemson community member Kristina Nelson said after she was tested at Memorial Stadium. "It was very very simple. I was done and in and out in 3 minutes I'm sure.""We thought while it was being offered, why not," Clemson community member Joy Dvoloznak said. "It is an opportunity to get tested and see if anything is wrong basically."The tubes are then taken to the CLIA Lab and analyzed, searching for traces of COVID-19. Dean adds that although the results can be turned around in 6-8 hours in most cases, this is not a "rapid" COVID-19 test and therefore does not have the lack of accuracy that some rapid test methods have. To register for a Clemson University COVID-19 saliva test, click here.

The Clemson University CLIA Lab is now offering COVID-19 PCR saliva testing to members of the Clemson community thanks in part to a grant that allowed for expansion provided to the lab from the South Carolina General Assembly.

Originally only available to Clemson University Students, Faculty and Staff, the free testing is now accessible to all members of the greater Clemson community in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.

"I think our goal was to always expand and provide resources for the community," said Clemson University professor of bioengineering and director of the CLIA Lab Delphine Dean. "Now we've opened it up so that folks in the community can come and get tested for free. The university is not it's own little bubble island. We are in the community and it is important for everyone to have access to cheap and accurate testing."

The saliva testing is being offered weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Memorial Stadium and consist of a saliva collection. Test takers that spoke to WYFF News 4 today said the process only took 3 to 5 minutes from entry to exit.

"It was easy. Easy to get a QR code, easy to register, easy to park and walk up," Clemson community member Kristina Nelson said after she was tested at Memorial Stadium. "It was very very simple. I was done and in and out in 3 minutes I'm sure."

"We thought while it was being offered, why not," Clemson community member Joy Dvoloznak said. "It is an opportunity to get tested and see if anything is wrong basically."

The tubes are then taken to the CLIA Lab and analyzed, searching for traces of COVID-19. Dean adds that although the results can be turned around in 6-8 hours in most cases, this is not a "rapid" COVID-19 test and therefore does not have the lack of accuracy that some rapid test methods have.

To register for a Clemson University COVID-19 saliva test, click here.

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Clemson University CLIA Lab offers free COVID-19 testing to community members - WYFF4 Greenville