Delays in COVID test results called “unacceptable

South Carolina DHEC says it is actively addressing issues with multiple COVID-19 testing vendors and reporting facilities for failure to process tests and report results and case counts since the omicron-fueled surge started in late December.  Most tests are processed at large, non-DHEC labs.  DHEC’s lab, with a capacity of 2,500 samples, is operating at capacity, but not experiencing any delays.  According to the state health agency, private labs such as Premier Medical are significantly behind and have yet to catch up or meet contractually obligated deadlines.  Some vendors are so far behind that DHEC has recommended that people tested finish what would have been their isolation time or return to work if it has been more than five days.  The delays, DHEC says, are unacceptable.