The Coastal Health District HIV Prevention Program will hold free HIV testing events at several locations, including Richmond Hill, throughout the month of February in observance of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD).

These testing events – and all HIV testing events offered in the Coastal Health District – are open to the general public.

The first 25 people to be tested at the event in Richmond Hill will receive gift cards. No appointment is necessary for testing. Locations and times are as follows:

• 12:30-4:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at Georgia Southern University Armstrong Campus in Savannah

• 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 7 at Walgreens, 2270 Highway 17 in Richmond Hill

• Noon to 7 p.m. Feb. 8 at the Black Heritage Festival in the Savannah Civic Center, Savannah

• 12:30-4:30 p.m. Feb. 10 at Georgia Southern University Liberty Campus in Hinesville

• Feb. 12 and 19 at Savannah State University in Savannah (time to be determined)

• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 13 at College of Coastal Georgia in Brunswick According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), blacks/African Americans accounted for 43 percent of all HIV diagnoses in the United States in 2017.

Currently, there are around 1.2 million people in the United States are living with HIV, and one in eight people don’t know they have it.

Getting tested and getting those who are HIV positive into treatment right away is vital in stopping the HIV epidemic.

As a reminder, HIV testing is always free at all health departments in Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, and McIntosh counties and available Monday through Friday during regular health department hours of operation.