Long lines for testing at Lot J in Jacksonville continue amid COVID-19 concerns

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Hundreds of people waited in line to be tested for the coronavirus at Lot J on Wednesday. The city of Jacksonville says some people experienced wait times in excess of three hours.

In order to maintain a safe distance, Action News Jax Reporter Ryan Nelson interviewed Almetha Albert by phone as she waited in line with her family.

“Me and my niece went out of town last week for a family gathering, and she’s now been admitted to the hospital for COVID virus, and so we all are getting tested,” said Albert.

Albert tells us she falls into a high-risk category.

“I’m in my 60′s, and my daughter, she’s young, she’s 15, she’s got the symptoms of it,” said Albert.

According to state data released at 9:25 a.m., of the 105,151 people tested in Duval County during the pandemic, 6,480 have tested positive for covid-19, which yields a 6% positive test rate.

Across the state of Florida, data shows an average of 13.78% percent positive test results over the last two weeks.

“I want to make sure that we’re not positive,” said Albert.

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