Florida Department of Health opens mobile COVID-19 testing to serve more people

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Three new federal testing sites will be opening in Duval County on Wednesday to help serve more people in underserved areas like Arlington, the Westside, and Northside gain access to COVID-19 test.

If you can’t wait until Wednesday, the Florida Department of Health has also rolled out its new mobile testing site in the Hogan’s Creek area.

Girlene Herring wanted to get her and her 5-year-old son tested after she came in close contact with someone else who tested positive.

“His safety comes first before mine. I wanted to make sure that he’s OK and the household is clear all the way so, everyone is getting tested,” Herring said.

People can choose walk up to the mobile testing site or remain in their cars.

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A health care worker will come to the window and collect some information, including your ID card. Then you’ll get a COVID-19 test.

The mobile unit is located right outside in the health department parking lot in the Central Health Plaza.

The Florida Department of Health told Action News Jax that it opened the mobile testing to serve more people.

Health care workers are testing 200 to 300 people a day with a throat swab.

Over the weekend, Florida surpassed 200,000 positive coronavirus cases.

John Walton said numbers like that should encourage more people to get tested.

“It’s kind of scary for me, but I think everybody needs to get tested because you just never know,” Walton said.

Herring said she picked this site not only because it was close to her home, but the wait time wasn’t as long.

“I went to CareSpot last week, and I waited five hours, so I was trying to find another testing spot,” she said.

The Florida Department of Health said there are no age restrictions and you don’t need to have symptoms or make an appointment.

There is also no cost associated with the test, and results will be available in three to five days.

The health department is working on a pediatric mobile unit to help children who may have been exposed to COVID-19. An opening date for it has not been set yet.

The Florida Department of Health said the mobile testing unit schedule is often posted on its website and Twitter page.

The schedule for this week:

• Monday, July 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the DOH-Duval Central Health Plaza (515 W 6th Street)
• Tuesday, July 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the DOH-Duval Central Health Plaza (515 W 6th Street)
• Wednesday, July 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the DOH-Duval Central Health Plaza (515 W 6th Street)
• Wednesday, July 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Inspire to Rise (5927 Old Timuquana Road)
• Thursday, July 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the DOH-Duval Central Health Plaza (515 W 6th Street)
• Friday, July 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the DOH-Duval Central Health Plaza (515 W 6th Street)
• Friday, July 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Inspire to Rise (5927 Old Timuquana Road)

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