Jacksonville, FL. — COVID-19 testing sites in Duval County are testing, on average, more than 3,000 people each day.
That is according to a report from the Department of Health detailing testing numbers from the last 14 days.
The Regency Mall testing site in Arlington is contributing to 1/3 of that overall testing number.
Action News Jax told you last month when the Regency announced it would now offer free, antigen rapid tests.
An antigen test looks for fragments of proteins from the COVID-19 virus.
It’s cheaper and faster.
However, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges, the false negative rate is possible as high as 50%.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science put out an article stating that the false positive rate for these tests are between 50-90%.
Both associations say these tests can often be wrong.
Action News Jax, Meghan Moriarty, brought those findings to Baptist Health Executive Vice President and Chief Physician Executive, Dr. Elizabeth Ransom.
“If the result comes back positive on an antigen test there’s a very very high likelihood that that is correct,” Dr. Ransom said. “The problem is the sensitivity, which is if the test comes back negative, there’s only moderate confidence that that is actually correct.”
Dr. Ransom said rapid, antigen tests should still be used.
“I think it’s perfectly acceptable to start off with an antigen test,” Dr. Ransom said. “If you start to develop symptoms and that antigen test was negative, then it is really important to follow up with a PCR test to confirm.”
A PCR test or polymerase chain reaction test looks for genetic material from the virus.
Results come back at a slower rate and the test can be more expensive.
But, it’s highly accurate.
“It’s considered the gold standard,” Dr. Ransom said. She adds that if you are exposed to COVID-19, isolate, and wait a day or two to get a test.
“If you go immediately after exposure, you may not necessarily get a valid result.”
Dr. Ransom recommends following CDC guidelines, isolating and getting tested if you’re exposed to COVID-19.
Overall, you can start out with a rapid test, but if you develop symptoms you may want to confirm your results with a PCR test.
The Regency Square Mall testing site offers both PCR and rapid antigen tests at the same time.
You can pre-register at this link.
If you plan to get both tests, make two separate appointments.
You can still get both tests done at your earlier appointment time.
Dr. Ransom said, according to the CDC, if you test positive, quarantine immediately.
Moriarty asked when it’s ‘ok’ to go back to work/out in the public and whether you need another test.
“What we found is that sometimes there can be virus detected for quite some time after an infection, even though it’s not at a level where anyone could be infectious,” Dr. Ransom said. “I think, based on the CDC recommendations, it comes down to symptoms. If they haven’t had a fever for more than 24 hours, their symptoms have improved, and they no longer feel sick, then it’s OK. They’re considered over the virus.”
According to the CDC, after testing positive for COVID-19, you can be with others after at least 10 days since symptoms first appeared, at least 24 hours with no fever without fever-reducing medication, and your other symptoms must be improving.
People who have tested positive for COVID-19 do not need to quarantine or get tested again for up to 3 months as long as they do not develop symptoms again, according to the CDC.
Action News Jax has provided a list of free testing sites in Duval County below:
Regency Square Mall
9501 Arlington Expressway
Open every day 9 A.M. to 5 P.M.
Offering: rapid, antigen tests and PCR tests
No appointment required, but pre-registering is encouraged (https://testing.nomihealth.com/easy_registration/26/onsite)
Mask required
Legends Center
5130 Soutel Dr.
Open every day 9 A.M. to 5 P.M.
Offering: rapid, antigen tests and PCR tests
No appointment required
Mask required
City of Jacksonville COVID-19 Testing Site: East Arlington
11751 McCormick Rd
Open Monday-Tuesday 7 A.M. to 3 P.M.
Offering: PCR tests and antibody tests
No appointment required
Duval County residents and hospital workers only
Please bring a mask, pen and proof of residency
City of Jacksonville COVID-19 Testing Site: Beaches
540 Atlantic Blvd
Open Thursday-Saturday 7 A.M. to 3 P.M.
Offering: PCR tests and antibody tests
No appointment required
Duval County residents and hospital workers only
Please bring a mask, pen and proof of residency
Lane Wiley Senior Center
6710 Wiley Road
Open Monday-Friday 11 A.M. to 7 P.M.
Offering: PCR tests
No appointment required
Student express lane
Duval County residents and hospital workers only
Please bring a mask, pen and proof of residency
Leroy D. Clemons Senior Center
55 N. Jackson Avenue
Open Monday-Friday 11 A.M. to 7 P.M.
Offering: PCR tests
No appointment required
Student express lane
Duval County residents and hospital workers only
Please bring a mask, pen and proof of residency
Mandarin Senior Center
3848 Hartley Road
Open Monday-Friday 11 A.M. to 7 P.M.
Offering: PCR tests
No appointment required
Student express lane
Duval County residents and hospital workers only
Please bring a mask, pen and proof of residency
Oceanway Senior Center
12215 Sago Ave. W
Open Monday-Friday 11 A.M. to 7 P.M.
Offering: PCR tests
No appointment required
Student express lane
Duval County residents and hospital workers only
Please bring a mask, pen and proof of residency
Lincoln Villa Senior Center
7866 New Kings Road
Open Monday-Friday 11 A.M. to 7 P.M.
Offering: PCR tests
No appointment required
Mask required
Other testing sites offer rapid and PCR tests through your insurance. You can find a full list here: https://www.jaxready.com/SpecialPages/virus/COVID-19-Testing-Information.aspx
Even though City run sites have decided to stay open a local state run site has decided to close.
COVID-19 testing site in Regency Square Mall closed Thursday due to Eta.
Cox Media Group
