Hundreds show up at Regency Square Mall for COVID-19 tests the day after Christmas

Jacksonville, FLa — Hundreds of people lined up at the Regency Square Mall COVID-19 testing site early Saturday morning following Christmas.

Action News Jax closely monitored the increase in local COVID-19 testing this week as more people began taking, what many told told us, were precautionary measures ahead of the holidays.

As of Wednesday, the Florida Department of Health reported 824 new cases of COVID-19 in Duval County and over 13,000 new cases across the state. Additionally, the FDoH reported a 10.66 percent positivity-rate in Duval County -- surpassing the State’s 7.84 percent positivity rate.

With cases still rising, along with demand in testing, Action News Jax Health Expert Dr. Michelle Aquino wants people to know they can still be infected despite receiving a negative test result, since a person can often be infected with the virus for days before symptoms surface. “I understand the need to connect with family, I’m in no way judging anyone, I’m just saying I don’t know that there’s any 100 percent safe way to do it except for not doing it”, she says.

Florida Department of Health Influenza-like illness (ILI) and COVID-like illness (CLI) ED and FSED visits (Florida Department of Health)

More than 68,133 people have received the COVID-19 vaccine in Florida – an increase of nearly 20,000 since yesterday. The Department continues to prioritize making this critical resource available to long-term care facilities, frontline health care workers and those 65 and older. pic.twitter.com/jucjjE5m7F
— Florida Dept. Health (@HealthyFla) December 23, 2020