Staffing shortages cause delays at health department COVID-19 test sites

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Long lines wrapped around Jacksonville’s five COVID-19 testing sites Monday — for tests that are administered for free.

The Duval Department of Health confirmed to Action News Jax that COVID-19 related staffing shortages led to longer lines at its two sites.

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The department operates the Emmett Reed Community Center and Cuba Hunter Community Center.

People who received tests reported waits anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and a half.

The Department of Health administered 2,366 tests total between both sites last week before closing Thursday for the New Year’s Eve holiday.

The Emmett Reed site saw a steady increase from 678 tests Monday to 936 Wednesday. The Cuba Hunter Center consistently administered more than 300 tests daily.

The Neptune Beach test site hit capacity by noon Monday and is administering 150 rapid tests and 100 PCR tests daily.

A City of Jacksonville representative said emergency legislation could be proposed next week to increase capacity with new sites and longer hours.

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St. Johns County recently added hours at its site run by Nomi Health.

Tests are now administered at the Wind Mitigation Building, 3111 Agricultural Center Drive, seven days a week. The facility is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Preregistration is not required, but recommended to save time. People can register here.

According to testing numbers provided by the county, there has been a more than 700% increase in demand over the past three weeks.

The week of Dec. 13-19, the site was administering an average of 128 tests daily. Last week it carried out 1,028 tests daily.

Here’s a list of all the sites you can get tested across Jacksonville.

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