COVID testing site to open in Venice tomorrow
Francesco Abbruzzino, The Uncensored Report, LLC
Sarasota DOH
Sarasota – The Florida Department of Health, Sarasota County, and the City of Venice have partnered with Sarasota-based Lab Services to increase the availability of COVID-19 testing in our community.
Beginning Wednesday, Jan. 12, Lab Services will open an additional walk-up testing site in the south parking lot of the Venice Community Center, 326 Nokomis Ave. S. Testing will be offered 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Testing is free, PCR testing will be available.
Lab Services is a locally owned medical laboratory with high volume COVID-19 testing capabilities that DOH Sarasota has worked with throughout the pandemic. They are offering these services to our community at no cost to local government or the individual testing.
No appointments will be required, and anyone can be tested regardless of symptoms.
The new site is in addition to the four public sites currently operating in Sarasota County:
Former Sarasota Kennel Club, 5400 Old Bradenton Rd, Sarasota. This drive-through site is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. offering rapid and PCR COVID-19 testing. This site is operated by Nomi Health.
Robert L. Taylor Community Complex parking lot, 1845 34th Street, Sarasota. This walk-up site is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. PCR COVID-19 testing is available throughout the day. This site is operated by Lab Services.
Ed Smith Stadium parking lot, 2700 12th Street, Sarasota. This drive-through COVID-19 testing site will offer PCR testing only and will operate seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This site is operated by Real Diagnostics.
Dallas White Park, 5900 Greenwood Ave, North Port. This walk-up site is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. PCR COVID-19 testing is available throughout the day. This site is operated by Lab Services.
Florida Department of Health guidance remains – the vaccine is the most effective way to protect yourself from COVID-19.
The COVID-19 vaccines continue to be vital to ending the pandemic, including combating the recent case increases nationally and globally.
Vaccine benefits include:
- Significantly reduces the risk of contracting the virus even if you are exposed.
- Teaching your body how to fight the virus.
- Reducing the risk of severe symptoms, hospitalization, and death if you contract the virus.
- Minimizing the ability for the virus to spread, especially to our most vulnerable populations.
- Fighting against emerging variants that can cause worse symptoms and spread.
DOH – Sarasota operates no-appointment necessary, walk-in COVID 19 vaccination clinics offering all authorized doses of Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
DOH Sarasota (Downtown)
2200 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota 34237
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tuesday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
DOH Sarasota (North Port)
6950 Outreach Way, North Port 34287
Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
DOH Sarasota recommends that individuals contact their medical provider, local retail pharmacies or visit vaccines.gov for vaccine availability near them.
DOH Sarasota recommends face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.
If you are sick with COVID-19 or suspect you are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, follow the steps below to help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community.
Stay home except to get medical care: You should restrict activities outside your home, except for getting medical care. Do not go to work, school, or public areas. Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.