Coronavirus: Flagler drive-thru testing site now open to screened residents

Flagler County’s drive-thru coronavirus testing site is now open to qualifying residents, according to county officials.

The drive-thru testing site, which opened Tuesday morning at Daytona State College’s Palm Coast campus, was initially only for first responders and healthcare workers.

Only 10 people were tested at the site Tuesday, according to Julie Murphy, Public Information Officer for Flagler County.

“We first offered tests to those first responders and healthcare workers who had COVID-19 symptoms or have a weakened immune systems, and we still have tests available,” said Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord in a county press release. “We are now offering testing to certain Flagler County residents, with COVID-19 symptoms.”

[READ MORE: Coronavirus: Flagler County will offer testing site for health care workers, first responders]

Flagler County residents that can be tested at the drive-thru testing site must either have underlying medical conditions that result in weakened immune systems and residents who are over the age of 65, according to the press release. They must also have symptoms of COVID-19 which includes fever, cough and shortness of breath.

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Residents who meet the criteria for testing can call 386-313-4200 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to complete a short screening process, and potentially be given an appointment for testing.

Residents that qualify will be given a weekday appointment time between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Palm Coast campus of Daytona State College, 3000 Palm Coast Parkway Southeast.

[READ MORE: Coronavirus testing sites in Volusia, Flagler counties]

Flagler County’s drive-thru coronavirus testing site opened just five days after AdventHealth opened the first drive-thru coronavirus testing site in Volusia County at Daytona International Speedway.

Since Friday, 1,354 Volusia County residents have been tested for the coronavirus, according to Jeff Grainger, spokesman for AdventHealth Central Division. Of those, 621 had made appointments over the weekend.

As of 4 p.m. Monday, 591 appointments had been made for the week.

[READ MORE: Coronavirus drive-through testing site starts today Daytona International Speedway]

[READ MORE: Coronavirus drive-thru testing up and running at Daytona International Speedway]

Flagler County is providing the testing site in partnership with the Florida Department of Health in Flagler County, AdventHealth, Flagler Volunteer Services and Daytona State College. The site will be operated by more than 20 staff members and volunteers from these organizations.