Half the kits will go public health departments, where residents can each pick up one kit containing two tests, The State newspaper reported. The other half will go to first responders, school districts, correctional facilities, nursing homes and state agencies.

Demand for COVID-19 tests has been overwhelming during the latest surge, with new infections reaching record highs because of the highly contagious omicron variant. Store-bought tests have all but vanished from retail shelves, and South Carolina's free public testing sites have seen long lines and slow turnaround times. DHEC has called long delays in processing tests “unacceptable.”

Public health officials say South Carolina residents should not go inside health department offices for test kits if they have COVID-19 symptoms. Instead, they say, health department staff should be notified and will bring kits out to them.