COVID-19 drive-thru testing site in Venice at the Community Center is set for 5/21
The Florida Department of Health-Sarasota County is scheduled to conduct COVID-19 drive-thru testing on Thursday, May 21, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Venice Community Center, 326 Nokomis Ave. S. on the island of Venice.
This community-based COVID-19 testing is for anyone who is currently experiencing symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell) or who works in a healthcare setting.
Citizens wanting to get tested MUST call in advance and make an appointment. If they do not, they will not be tested. The phone number to call is 941-861-2883, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Callers will be screened using current CDC testing criteria and then be given an appointment on May 21 if they meet the criteria. Appointments are limited, however more testing opportunities may be scheduled in the future.
Those with an appointment should enter the Community Center from Nokomis Avenue on May 21 and follow the posted signage. Citizens should wear a face covering if they have one, stay in their vehicle, and be prepared to show their driver’s license. DOH-Sarasota medical staff will oversee and assist each patient with throat swabbing. Drivers will then proceed to the testing site exit on Nassau Street.
Law enforcement will be on hand for traffic control. Bicyclists and pedestrians can be accommodated as long as they have appointments. Please maintain social distancing. If you utilize public transportation to arrive at the site, you must rely on public transportation for your departure.
DOH-Sarasota staff will contact citizens with test results in 4-5 days.
All patients must have an appointment to be tested; please call 941-861-2883 to be evaluated and scheduled for an appointment.
The Florida Department of Health continues to see new positive cases across the state. Please visit www.flhealth.gov/covid-19 for the most current case count and county-specific data. For additional community-based COVID-19 testing sites in the county, please visit http://sarasota.floridahealth.gov.
The CDC recommends wearing cloth 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.