The Medical University of South Carolina says it needs more funding from the state for COVID-19 related testing and research.
In May of this year, MUSC received $25 million in federal relief funds for coronavirus testing. However, less than $7 million of that lump sum currently remains.
At the beginning of September, the CEO of MUSC Health, Dr. Pat Cawley, attended a Senate Finance and Ways and Means committee meeting to ask for more funding stressing that “At the current rate of testing, we’re looking at being able to continue testing for another four, maybe six weeks.”
MUSC is currently conducting 17 percent of all coronavirus testing in South Carolina and is administering advanced diagnostic saliva-based COVID-19 testing. They are also ensuring everyone has access to testing and mobile screening and collection sites have been set up in rural areas across the state. In addition to testing, the new funds would also be used for a potential vaccine deployment.