Hours of waiting welcome those who want COVID-19 testing in Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Florida – With an increase in COVID-19 cases in Jacksonville, the demand for testing is only increasing day by day.

The Florida Department of Health – Duval County said it sees up to 400 people per day wanting to be tested at its Central Health Plaza in Springfield.

Those who want to be tested spend hours and hours waiting in the heat.

“The line stretches behind the building. I didn’t know there was a nurse and two taking names, ”said Phillip Cameron, who has been tested at DOH.

Cameron and his two sons were with the other 100 people who waited until three o’clock in the line that circled the building.

“More testing sites available for everyone – that’s what has to happen,” Cameron said. “There must be a lot more testing. We have to go back to where it was last year when it was widely available. “

The health ministry said there were no plans to reopen a mass testing site at this time.

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Currently, the DOH offers free testing Tuesday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Central Health Plaza at 515 W 6th St.

From August 2, Mondays will be added.

“I went to the Department of Health yesterday, and the line was around the building, and I was not tested, which is why I came here earlier this morning,” said Sylvia Adams, who was tested at Agape Health on Friday.

“What we’re hearing is that some people are symptomatic or one family member is symptomatic and they have come into contact with other family members or people in their work. We have a lot of children coming in and they have come into contact with someone in their day camps or in the community and the family thinks they need to be tested, ”said Mia Jones, CEO of Agape Health.

Jones said Thursday that Agape staff had administered 200 tests and two weeks ago, only 50. His number of tests has quadrupled in the past week.

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Jones said Agape can administer 300 to 400 tests per day.

Tests are available Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 5460 Blanding Blvd. Then Thursday and Friday at 1680 Dunn Ave.

With the high demand, those waiting are wondering why more testing sites are not being opened by local authorities.

Tests are also available at most CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart pharmacies, as well as CareSpots and Avecina medical facilities.