JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Dozens of people in the Durkeeville community are being tested for COVID-19, helping reach the underserved communities who are at a higher risk.
The testing site at the Emmett Reed Community Center opened up to the first wave of people at a 9 a.m. on Wednesday.
While most people who lived nearby walked over to the walk-in testing site, others drove their cars and parked across the street like Willie Jackson.
He’s a senior citizen and he wanted to get tested.
“I feel like it’s necessary for me to get this to make sure I’m all right and I think everybody should get it,” Jackson said.
UF Health is doing this testing though a partnership with Gov. Ron DeSantis to make this testing site accessible to lower income people especially those who may not have transportation.
That’s why they made it a walk-in site.
Right now, health leaders are asking that people 65 years or older come to the testing site since that group is at higher risk, but they said they won’t turn anyone away that wants to be tested and you don’t need to have any symptoms.
UF Health volunteer doctors, nurses and students tested about 80 people on Wednesday.
State Sen. Audrey Gibson also decided to stop by the testing site and go through the testing herself.
For live updates on the coronavirus, click here.
Interactive map: Florida’s COVID-19 Data and Surveillance Dashboard | Interactive Map: Coronavirus cases around the world
Gibson told Action News Jax the nasal swab test was fast and that others in the community shouldn’t be afraid to take it.
“African Americans and people of color need to make sure that they’re aware of the potential of contracting the virus. Just because you’re not symptomatic doesn’t mean you can’t spread the virus to other people,” Gibson said.
Jackson said he hopes people in his community will begin to take this virus more seriously.
"Even if you don’t want to, all these people are dying. You can sit down if you want to and think it’s not for real but it’s for real," he said.
UF Health said it could take up to 72 hours before you get your results back.
The plan is to test 2,000 people in the next couple of weeks.
If you couldn’t make it out to the testing on Wednesday, UF Health will back at the Emmett Reed Community Center on Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Additional testing will take place next week in other neighborhoods.
The date and location is subject to change due to weather. For details, you can call 904-244-4420.
© 2020 Cox Media Group
