Port Charlotte, Fla. – A new state-run mobile coronavirus testing unit will be making stops in Englewood in early September.

This community based COVID-19 testing is for anyone who is five (5) years old and up regardless of symptoms and no appointment is necessary. The sites will have a capacity of 100 PCR, or “swab” tests available each day. Antibody testing will not be available during these testing events.

LOCATIONS HAVE CHANGED SINCE THE ORIGINAL PUBLICATION OF THIS ARTICLE. 

For the most recent test site information, go to the following sites:  
https://charlotte.floridahealth.gov/events/2020/09/CharlotteCOVID-19TestSites.html

https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/testing-sites/

www.coadfl.org

The Florida Department of Health continues to see new positive cases across the State, please visit www.flhealth.gov/covid-19 for the most current case count and county specific data.

The Florida Department of Health issued an additional Public Health Advisory June 20 in response to COVID-19, providing recommendations to protect Floridians and visitors from this virus. Please click here to see the full advisory and recommendations.

DOH Charlotte recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.

The Florida Department of Health reminds everyone that the elderly and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems and diabetes are more likely to develop serious illness.

If you are sick with COVID-19 or suspect you are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, follow the steps below to help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community.

Stay home except to get medical care: You should restrict activities outside your home, except for getting medical care. Do not go to work, school, or public areas. Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.

Other Locations Available:

• Department of Health in Charlotte County – 1100 Loveland Blvd., Port Charlotte. Appointments required. 5 years and older. Make an appointment 941-624-7200.
• Publix Test Site - 4265 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte. No appointment needed. 18 years and older.
• North Port Drive Up Testing (Sarasota County) – More info at: https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/testing-sites/
• CVS Pharmacy at 2400 Tamiami Trail in Punta Gorda is offering drive through COVID-19 testing by appointment only.  Hours are Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 5:30 pm.  Saturday and Sunday-10:00am – 4:30 pm. Register at CVS.com 

Specialty Test Site

• Amedisys – Homebound Testing – If you are not able to leave your house due to certain medical reasons, you may be eligible for home services.       To find out if you qualify, call 941-391-1316

Pediatric COVID testing

• Robert Taylor Community Center Walk-In Clinic -  ALL AGES. 
  1845 34th St, Sarasota. No appointment needed. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. while supplies last. More info at: https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/testing-sites/
  (Closed Aug. 18 & Nov 3 for voting)
• Turner Agri-Civic Center - ALL AGES. 
  2250 NE Roan Street, Arcadia. Drive-thru site. No appointment needed.
  Mon, Wed, Fri 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. More info at: https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/testing-sites/

• Local Pediatricians – Most Charlotte County pediatricians do testing for current patients with symptoms/exposure.  

Should I be tested for COVID-19? Before you decide to make an appointment to be tested for COVID-19, please consider the following:

• Are you ill, or caring for someone who is ill?
  • In the two weeks before you felt sick, did you:
  • Have contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19?

• Do you have any of the following?
  • Fever or feeling feverish (chills, sweating)
  • Cough            
  • Sore throat
  • Muscle aches or body aches
  • Vomiting or diarrhea
  • Change in smell or taste

• In the last two weeks have you spent time (visited, worked or volunteered) in a hospital, emergency room, clinic, medical office, long-term care facility or nursing home, ambulance service, first responder services, any health care setting or taken care of patients or someone who has been sick?

• Do you have any of the following conditions?
  • Chronic lung disease, moderate to severe asthma, or smoking
  • Serious heart conditions
  • Weakened immune system (cancer treatment, prolonged use of steroids,  transplant or HIV/AIDS)
  • Severe obesity (Body Mass Index [BMI] greater than or equal to 40)
  • Underlying conditions (diabetes, renal failure, or liver disease)

Please stop the spread of COVID-19:

• If you have been tested for COVID-19, please stay at home until you receive your test results.
• Follow social distancing, even when you are at work and home (especially if someone in your home is sick)
• Stay at home if you are sick, or if you have been around someone who has been sick.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Cover your coughs and sneezes; cough or sneeze into a tissue NOT in your hands!
• Cover your face with a cloth face covering when you are in public or around others.
• Clean and disinfect frequently used surfaces
• Avoid travel to higher risk areas (areas known to have high numbers of cases)

The Florida Department of Health (DOH) releases a report on COVID-19 cases in Florida once per day. There is also a report detailing surveillance data for every Florida county. The Florida Department of Health also releases a list of long-term care facilities in Florida with active cases and number of deaths in each facility.

The surveillance data, long term care data and information on a case-by-case basis can be found at: https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/#latest-stats

For information and advisories from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), please visit the CDC COVID-19 website, this website is also available in Spanish and Creole.

 The COVID-19 Call Center is available 24/7 | 1 (866) 779-6121 | COVID-19@flhealth.gov

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About the Florida Department of Health

The Department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.