Clay County Health Department making changes to COVID-19 testing at Bear Run location

Clay County FL — Tuesday the Clay County Department of Health announced changes its implementing if you want to get a COVID-19 test at the Bear Run Clinic location in Orange Park. The health department says due to the high demand for testing at the location, starting Wednesday you’ll need to make an appointment to get a test.

“People that are coming to the clinic for other reasons, for COVID vaccinations, or their family planning visits, or just standard immunizations for back to school, they’re not able to access that clinic because of the long lines that we have for testing.” Says Heather Huffman, Clay County Health Department Administrator.

Huffman says there are several other retail locations across the country offering testing.

You’ll have to call the health department at 904-529-2800 to make an appointment. Appointments are available Monday through Friday from 8 AM until 4 PM at the Bear Run location.

The health department also suggests contacting your primary care physician for testing information since many practices have testing capabilities. If you don’t have a primary care physician, you can also get tested at the following providers below within the county.

• Aza Health Green Cove Springs (904) 284-5904
• Aza Health Keystone Heights (904) 284-5904
• CareSpot Middleburg (904) 406-8240
• CareSpot Orange Park (904) 213-0600
• Palms Medical Group Orange Park (904) 688-3000

Huffman says vaccinations are the best way to prevent severe illness and death from COVID-19 and the delta variant.

“Our emergency rooms are full, our hospitals are full with inpatients and these individuals aren’t our elderly that we saw before. These are young healthy individuals who are really sick”. Huffman says.

She says if you’re unvaccinated it’s crucial that you wear a mask, and even if you are vaccinated, it’s encouraged you resume wearing a mask to prevent spreading the virus.

COVID-19 vaccinations are available at the Bear Run Clinic location.

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