COVID-19 testing site at Regency Square Mall sees uptick in turnout ahead of Christmas

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. —

If you want to get tested for COVID-19 ahead of Christmas, Wednesday is your last chance to do it at the Regency Square Mall.

Regency’s COVID-19 testing site will be closed Thursday and Friday.

Action News Jax checked the Nomi Health website, and it appeared no appointments were available Wednesday. You can still get tested without an appointment, but expect to wait in line.

Tuesday’s line was wrapped around the building.

Some people, such as Neri Thompson, said they waited for two hours to get tested.

Thompson said it was worth the wait to have peace of mind.

“Just to be on the safe side, because the holidays are coming up, and I would like to spend it with my family,” Thompson said.

Coronavirus Local Impacts: Jacksonville military family celebrating Christmas traditions differently this year

Dr. Jillian Harrington is the lab director for Nomi Health, which runs the Regency COVID-19 testing site. She said she recommends getting testing done as soon as possible if you plan to spend time with your family or travel anywhere this Christmas.

“To have that testing in hand and know that you won’t be exposing your friends and family or close family members to a potentially dangerous virus is very important,” Harrington said.

She said the location has seen an uptick in testing this week.

“It’s great that people are getting tested before the holidays and are concerned about travel,” Harrington said.

The Florida Association of Public Information Officers said the Regency Square Mall COVID-19 testing site broke a record Monday, with 3,075 people tested.

Local News: Jacksonville boy with autism writes children’s book about coping with COVID-19 changes

Harrington said she expects more people to show up to get tested for the coronavirus after Christmas.

“I think if Thanksgiving showed anything, I would anticipate that Christmas is going to have a similar effect, that in two to three weeks, we’ll have a surge of infections and hospitalizations again,” Harrington said.