COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina health officials are offering free or low-cost HIV tests in honor of World AIDS Day.
State Department of Health and Environmental Control officials say county health department and community centers will offer the rapid HIV tests on Tuesday.
The acting director of the agency's STD/HIV division, Dr. Wayne Duffus, says there are 14,000 people in South Carolina known to be living with HIV or AIDS.
The health agency estimates that one new HIV infection occurs every nine hours in the state.
He says most people have no symptoms in the early stages, and early diagnosis is key to staying health longer and preventing infecting others.
Many community groups across the state are planning events and candlelight vigils to raise awareness.
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