Spike causes health department to extend COVID-19 testing event
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The Florida Department of Health Osceola County COVID-19 testing event at Osceola Heritage Park will stretch through Friday. PHOTO/JEREMY LANIER -
More than 700 vehicles lined up at Osceola Heritage Park on Monday during a COVID-19 testing event. NEWS-GAZETTE PHOTO/BRIAN MCBRIDE
More than 800 people waited in line to get tested for COVID-19 on Friday at an Osceola Heritage Park testing site event.
The response by local residents to get tested these days has been so rampant that the Florida Department of Health in Osceola County extended the free testing site at OHP from last week to until this Friday.
“We are a little over 4,000 (cases) right now and we’ve had an increase in hospitalizations and a few more deaths,” said Jeremy Lanier, spokesman for the Osceola Health Department. “This is a very serious illness.”
According to the case numbers, at press time Tuesday, there were 4,575 cases, with 37 deaths and 244 hospitalizations.
On Monday morning, the line of cars waiting for testing snaked throughout Osceola Heritage Park. The wait time for the more the sea of vehicles was up to an hour as Lanier encouraged people who take advantage of the free testing to have a full tank of gas and working air conditioning.
“The turnout at Osceola Heritage Park (OHP) has indicated the demand for testing is extremely high right now. Expanding the event at OHP provides additional testing opportunities for the community,” said Vianca McCluskey, FDOH-Osceola administrator.
That’s why the health department decided to extend the testing site. On Saturday, more than 700 vehicles waited in line.
“In the last couple of months, we’ve seen an increase in the 20 to 34 age range,” said Lanier.
Health department officials also have seen COVID-19 outbreaks is multi-generational households.
The re-opening of the state, as Gov. Ron DeSantis recently approved his Phase 2 plan, could link the spike in cases. Lanier said there had been more family gatherings on days such as Memorial Day and the Fourth of July.
“That’s definitely lent to this increase,” he added.
But are there enough Osceola residents wearing face-coverings?
“I think it’s getting better,” Lanier said. “I think it really begins with stores and businesses, educating people why it’s important.”
For example, Lanier said he was recently at The Loop and one store had a sign stating that customers must wear face coverings or they were not permitted inside without one.
“For this type of virus, we really need to keep reinforcing those personal protective measures,” Lanier said.
Anyone who believes they have come into contact with someone with COVID-19 is encouraged to get tested. Some of the symptoms are a spike in temperature, dry cough, aches and pains, shortness of breath, fatigue, a runny nose. It basically mimics flu symptoms, Lanier noted.
According to the Florida Department of Health website, residents should:
• Practice social distancing, staying 6 feet apart.
• Wear a face covering.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.
• Clean and disinfect “high touch” surfaces.”
• Wash or sanitize your hands.
Testing at OHP will be offered through Friday, July 17, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Appointments are not required for this drivethrough event. Those seeking testing are asked to wear a mask and bring a pen to complete paperwork.
To find other testing locations and events in Osceola County, visit www.osceola.org/covid19testing.
Visit the Florida Department of Health COVID-19 webpage for more information on COVID-19.
If you have questions, call the department’s COVID-19 Call Center which is available aroundthe-clock at 1-866-779-6121.
You can also email at COVID-19@flhealth.gov.
