-
Free drive-thru covid-19 testing events will be taking place throughout June in Columbia and Hamilton counties.
Free drive-thru covid-19 testing events will be taking place throughout June in Columbia and Hamilton counties.
The events, which are organized by the Florida Department of Health’s local office in the two counties, are accessible to anyone who wants a test. All events are scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
The next one is set to take place on June 6 at Wilson Park by Lake DeSoto in downtown Lake City. Following that, other events will be held at Wilson Park on June 13, June 16, June 20, and June 27.
Additional events will be held at the Fort White Community Center on June 9 and June 23.
The Hamilton County site is located at that county’s health department building in Jasper. Events there will be held on June 11, June 18 and June 25.
Participants should refrain from eating, drinking or using tobacco products for two hours before testing. Water is OK.
Children need the consent of a legal guardian for testing.
Here’s what to expect at the testing sites: each individual will be asked to provide their first and last name, address, date of birth and contact information. They’ll then receive instructions for following up, including information about how to obtain rest results online.
Once a staffer finishes with the rundown, participants will then be directed to someone who will provide further instructions, according to the state Health Department’s Columbia County office.
The non-invasive process will be conducted by healthcare professionals in protective gear who have been trained to test for covid-19.
Everyone is to remain in their vehicle and should be seated next to a working window. The public is asked to not to take any passengers who aren’t receiving a test.
There may be a long line, so participants should make sure to fill up their gas tanks and double-check that the air conditioner is working.
There are no bathrooms at the testing sites, so take care of that beforehand.
The test involves a soft swab, which will be inserted either into the patient’s throat or nose.
It may be a little uncomfortable, but it’s a quick process and shouldn’t take more than a minute.
These are tests to check for people who are actively carrying the virus — antibody tests, which can help someone know if they have already fought off the virus, are not available at this site.
Test results aren’t immediate and may take up to two weeks.
Patients will receive test results via phone.
“Please be patient — calling back to check on your results will not expedite the process,” the Health Department’s Columbia County office wrote in a statement.
Wilson Park is located at 232 Northeast Hillsboro Street.
Fort White Community Center is located off U.S. Highway 47.
The Hamilton County Health Department is located at 209 SE Central Ave. in Jasper.
Additional testing dates and locations are to be determined.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Columbia County had 147 confirmed cases with two deaths reported, according to the Florida Department of Health’s numbers.
Suwannee County had 168 cases with 18 deaths.
Hamilton County had 239 cases but no confirmed deaths.