New drive-thru COVID-19 testing site opens at Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — On Thursday morning, lines of cars filled the parking lot of Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine to get a COVID-19 test.

Tyler Butler wanted a COVID-19 test after someone he knew tested positive. ”Someone on my soccer team had the virus and so I just want to get tested just in case,” Butler said.

After seeing a recent increase in COVID-19 cases, St. Johns County leaders and Flagler Health+ teamed up together to increase testing throughout the community. Testing is free and open to all ages.

You don’t need to have any symptoms or have a doctor’s note.

Health care workers and first-responders will need to see a photo ID once you drive in.

The county told Action News Jax the testing site is being funded through the CARES Act.

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Flagler Hospital says testing is open to all ages. You don’t need to have any signs or symptoms and you don’t need a doctor’s note ⁦@ActionNewsJax⁩ ⁦@WOKVNews⁩ pic.twitter.com/GkSFAvINWP
— Alicia Tarancon (@AliciaANJax) July 9, 2020

As they monitor cases, opening more testing sites is not off the table.”We have been in touch with St. Johns County about looking to open up an additional test site more in the northern corridor of st. johns to service those folks up there, and again allow us to streamline the process here and provide more opportunities and avenues for people get tested,” Gina Mangus, V.P. of strategy at Flagler Health+ said.

Butler told Action News Jax reporter Alicia Tarancon, he waited in line for over two hours. When he reached the white tents, he finally got a nasal swab.

“It wasn’t that bad… like people were telling me it hurts a lot, at first it does..but it doesn’t last real long,” he said.

Testing is available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 11 a.m. or until 200 tests are collected.

Flagler Hospital told Action News Jax they hit 200 COVID-19 test at about 8:30 a.m. on Thursday.

The results will be given over the phone within seven to 10 days.

An appointment isn’t required, but you can download the Flagler Health+ Anywhere App to pre-register so the process can go quicker when you arrive at the testing site. You must accept the terms and conditions, click on “See a Provider” and select the laboratory icon.

For more information, you are asked to call the St. Johns County Citizens Information Hotline at 904-824-5550.