COLUMBIA – World AIDS Day events will be observed throughout South Carolina on Dec. 1, the state Department of Health and Environmental Control has an-nounced.

“Free or low-cost rapid tests for HIV will be offered in many of DHEC’s county public health departments and community-based agencies to mark World AIDS Day,” said Wayne Duffus, M.D., acting division director and medical director of DHEC’s STD/HIV Division. “Many community based groups will offer events and candlelight vigils to raise awareness of HIV issues and remember those who have died from AIDS.”

Dr. Duffus said the United States’ World AIDS Day theme for 2009, “Working Together,” stresses the importance of joining together to support the individuals, families and communities affected by this disease.

“In South Carolina, 14,000 people are known to be living with HIV/AIDS, and DHEC estimates that one new HIV infection occurs in the state every nine hours,” Dr. Duffus said. “Every county in the state has residents living with HIV, but many South Carolinians remain unaware of their HIV status because they have not received an HIV test.”

According to Dr. Duffus, DHEC encourages public health and private partnerships throughout South Carolina to end the stigma of HIV and promote community support for HIV testing, prevention, care and treatment.

“We continue to partner closely with communitybased organizations to deliver testing, prevention and care services to those most in need,” Dr. Duffus said. “We are also working in partnership with hospital emergency departments to promote routine HIV testing for early diagnosis.

For more information, call DHEC’s S.C. AIDS/ STD Hotline at 1-800-322- AIDS (1-800-322-2437), or visit DHEC’s Web site at: http://www.scdhec.gov/ stdhiv.

FREE TESTING LOCATIONS

In observance of World AIDS Day 2010, health departments in Cherokee, Greenville, Pickens, Spartanburg and Union counties will offer free HIV testing Tuesday, Dec. 1.

 Cherokee County Public Health Dept., 400 S. Logan St., Gaffney; 8:30 a.m.- Noon; Walk In and Appointment Accepted; 864-487-2705.

 Greenville County Public Health Dept., 200 University Ridge; 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Appointment Only; 864-282- 4100

 Pickens County Public Health Dept., 200 McDaniel Ave.; Pickens; 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Call for information: 864- 898-5965

 Spartanburg County Public Health Dept., 151 E. Wood St., Spartanburg; 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Walk In and Appointment Accepted; 864- 596-2227.

 Union County Public Health Dept., 115 Thomas St., Union, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Walk In.