Sarasota Community-Based Testing Partnership

Sarasota - DOH Sarasota has partnered with CenterPlace Health, NAACP Sarasota Chapter and Light of the World International Church to host a by appointment only COVID-19 drive-thru testing site Friday at the Light of the World International Church located at 3809 Chapel Dr, Sarasota, FL 34234 from 8 a.m. until noon.

 

"We're very pleased to be working collaboratively with CenterPlace Health, Sarasota County's safety-net health care provider, as well as the Sarasota Chapter of the NAACP and Light of the World Church to make this testing opportunity possible," said Chuck Henry, Sarasota County Health Officer. "Partnerships like this help to increase our ability to provide more community testing that is neighborhood-based."

 

DOH Sarasota began community based COVID-19 drive-thru testing sites as a strategy to increase testing in the county earlier this month. 

 

 

 

"This partnership helps us expand our capacity and reach more people, where they are. In addition to testing, CenterPlace Health is also able to offer treatment and follow-up care" said Melissa Parker, CenterPlace Health CEO. "These types of partnerships are critical for expanding testing capacity in Sarasota County."

 

This community based COVID-19 testing is for anyone who is currently experiencing symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell) or who works in a health care setting.

 

To make an appointment, please call 941-861-2883. Callers will be screened using current CDC testing criteria. Appointments are limited however the department is evaluating community COVID-19 testing opportunities in the future.

 

All patients must have an appointment to be tested, please call (941) 861-2883 to be evaluated and scheduled for an appointment.

 

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 CDC 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.

 

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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.

 

CenterPlace Health is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with three sites in Sarasota County providing primary health care services in adult health, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, dental and behavioral health.  CenterPlace Health (CPH) is the area's largest primary care safety net provider for low-income and uninsured children, adolescents, adults and seniors.

 

Follow us on Twitter at  @CenterPlaceHlth and on  Facebook. For more information about CenterPlace Health visit  www.centerplacehealth.org