Neptune Beach COVID-19 testing site overwhelmed; leaders consider emergency legislation

NEPTUNE BEACH, Fla. — COVID-19 cases are spiking throughout Florida thanks to the omicron variant.

Hundreds of locals got tested Monday morning at Telescope Health’s Neptune Beach site after a busy New Year’s weekend.

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The site told Action News Jax it hit capacity after testing around 250 people before noon, causing it to close up for the day.

While Action News Jax was at the site Monday afternoon, a handful of people like Suzanne Teta came by for their appointments, only to find a ghost town.

“It said to be here by 3:00,” Teta said. “It looks closed; I don’t see anyone.”

Teta says no one from the site called her to let her know she wouldn’t be able to get her test. Same thing happened to two other couples that came by when Action News Jax was interviewing Teta.

Teta says she’d like additional hours at the sites.

That’s exactly what other places like St. John’s County are doing. Its site is now open seven days a week to meet increased demand.

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Action News Jax asked the city of Jacksonville if it plans to add more sites. A city spokesperson said city leaders are considering emergency legislation to do just that. The city says it would be presented to council at their regular meeting next Tuesday. The city says costs would vary depending on daily volume and location.

Telescope Health says people will have to come back at 7 a.m. Tuesday for tests.

Here’s a list of all the testing sites across the city.

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