UPDATED: COVID-19 testing site to open at Agri-Civic Center on Sept. 2

Posted 8/26/21

Okeechobee County will open a free COVID-19 testing site at the Okeechobee Agri-Civic Center next Thursday.

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UPDATED: COVID-19 testing site to open at Agri-Civic Center on Sept. 2

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OKEECHOBEE – Starting Sept. 2, a free COVID-19 testing site will be opened at the Okeechobee Agri-Civic Center. It will be open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

At the Aug. 26 meeting of the Okeechobee County Board of Commissioners, Bret Smith of the Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee County said with the increase in COVID-19 cases related to the delta variant, and the start of school, there have been a lot of questions about testing lately.

The county has three other sites that offer free COVID-19 testing he said. He said the health department has tried to focus on testing of students, teachers, fire/rescue, EMTs and health care workers.

“At the old surgery center, two weeks ago, we were doing about 40 tests,” said Thomas Jones, assistant administrator of the Dr. Fred Brown Children’s Health Center. “Tuesday of this week we did 211 tests.

“We are seeing a large number of children being tested,” he continued.

He said previously the 14 regional offices of Florida Community Health Center were seeing a 20% positivity rate. “This week, we’re seeing a 40% positivity rate.”

“Starting today we’re doing testing for children only, by appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays,” he said. Jones explained staff needs to concentrate on caring for sick children.

“Each and every day we have probably 60 open slots for sick children,” said Jones. “Each and every day those slots are booked or double booked.

“Our staff has been working 12 hours a day to try to get all the tests back,” he explained. “We really need to see the children who are sick. We are trying to accommodate 120 children a day.”

Jones said there is still a problem with lack of education. “We’re still seeing people not knowing what they should be doing: Washing their hands, getting vaccines and masking. Those are the things that will save people’s lives.”

“The hospital is not a testing site,” Smith stressed.

“People need to stop and think, if you think you have been exposed, and you think you may have it, or maybe you have a sore throat that is one of the symptoms ... the last thing you want to do is go to the ER because you’re exposing yourself,” said Commissioner Kelly Owens.

“The minute you walk in there, you are opening up to exposure and not just to covid,” she said. “It’s an emergency room for people who are really sick.”

“The hospital should take care of hospital business,” said Smith. “They shouldn’t be in the testing business.”

The COVID-19 testing sites are:

• Florida Department of Health, 863-462-5800 By Appointment Only for First Responders and School or Daycare related testing;

• Okeechobee Urgent Care, 863-484-8154 No Appointment Needed. Walk in 7 days a week 8:00 am – 80 pm. NOTE:There may be a charge or insurance required for asymptomatic testing;
• Lakeshore Medical Center FCHC 863-763-7481 By Appointment Only. Testing currently for children only.

The county also has ten COVID-19 vaccination sites, Smith said. The health department offers vaccinations on Tuesdays and Thursdays. “We prefer people make an appointment, because our staff is limited but if people show up, we want to help them,” he said.

For a list of current vaccination sites go online to myvaccine.fl.gov

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