Long lines at Orlando coronavirus testing sites again

As Thanksgiving week looms, lines lengthened Friday at COVID-19 testing sites in Orange County, health officials said.

People waited in vehicles often for more than two hours to get an uncomfortable nasal swabbing at the state-run site in a parking garage outside the Orange County Convention Center, spokesman Mike Jachles said.

“Busy, busy, busy,” he said.

Meanwhile Orange County Health Services announced that a county-run site at Barnett Park, 4801 W Colonial Dr., will operate from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week, beginning Saturday, though county and state testing locations will be closed for Thanksgiving.

Testing has increased as the county’s positivity rate has crept up from less than 5% about a week ago to 7.9%.

The percentage of positive tests is a critical measure because it indicates how widespread the coronavirus infection is within the county, according to Johns Hopkins COVID-19 School of Public Health. A rate of 5% or lower is considered good.

“I’m anticipating we’ll probably see a lot of people coming out,” Jachles said of weekend crowds at the convention center. “If they’re planning on traveling beginning of the week or if they’re traveling somewhere for Thanksgiving Day, and they’d like results before family gatherings, they’ll need more time for the [molecular] test, which typically requires 48 hours or longer for results.”

The rapid antigen tests, which provide results in 15 to 30 minutes, trade sensitivity for speed.

The molecular test, also called a PCR test, which is short for polymerase chain reaction, detects the virus’ DNA.

Both sites offer both tests for free.

Jachles said the convention center test site, managed by the Florida Division of Emergency Management, is open to anyone, all ages, regardless of where you live. “Some people mistakenly think it’s only for Orange County residents,” he said. “If you live in Seminole, Osceola, Lake, Brevard, you can be tested for free. If you’re a tourist, you can be tested for free.”

He recommended that people pre-register to be tested by visiting www.patientportalfl.com.

The county site at Barnett Park is restricted to county residents only.

On Monday, Orange County will reopen the application portal for residents who are struggling with the financial toll of the virus to apply for $1,000 grants at 8 a.m.

This reopening, limited to 15,000 applicants, may be the final chance for a share of federal coronavirus relief funds. Adult members of the same household, including roommates and other family members, whose income has been negatively impacted by COVID-19 and are over the age of 18, are eligible to apply.

For more details, visit ocfl.net/OrangeCares.

Also Monday, people wishing to donate toys to the Orange County Mayor’s Toy Drive can drop them off at Downey Park, 10107 Flowers Ave., or Silver Star Community Park, 2801 N. Apopka-Vineland Road, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Donors will receive a kit of free face masks and hand sanitizer.

shudak@orlandosentinel.com

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