Lazaro Aleman
ECB Publishing, Inc.
The Florida Department of Health in Jefferson County (FDOH-Jefferson) has announced a scaled-down schedule for COVID-19 testing in January, as it concentrates its efforts on vaccinations.
Pam Gilleland-Beck, public information officer for the FDOH-Jefferson, sent out an email this week that the free COVID-19 testing would be limited to Monday and Friday during January, from 8:30 a.m. to noon each of the days.
The testing, she said, would be limited to those who were symptomatic or who had been identified as having had close contact with positive cases.
Meanwhile, children in either category could be tested with a parent or guardian present, Gilleland-Beck added, emphasizing that appointments were required for all testing.
To schedule an appointment, call (850) 342-0170 and select option one on the menu.
Gilleland-Beck advises those who are to be tested not eat or drink anything or brush their teeth at least 20 minutes before the testing appointment, as it may decrease the accuracy of the oral test.
Persons are also asked to remain in their vehicles and call the (850) 342-0170 to alert the nursing staff that they are in the parking lot. A member of the nursing staff will then step out and perform the oral test at the vehicle.
Antibody testing and rapid tests are also available, Gilleland-Beck said.
The test results, she said, should be available within one to three days.
CVS is also doing testing. CVS is located at 1390 S. Jefferson St. For additional information about the CVS testing, call (850) 997-4108 or visit cvshealth.com/covid-19 .