ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orange County Convention Center had to close its testing line earlly Friday afternoon due to demand.
What You Need To Know
- Tests were free at the Orange County Convention Center
- Officials suggested to bring a full tank of gas, functioning window
- CORONAVIRUS LIVE UPDATES: In the Central Florida area
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- COMPLETE COVERAGE: Spectrum News | CDC | Florida Department of Health
The Florida Association of Public Information Officers said on Twitter that the convention center site cut off the testing line to allow enough time for the occupants of the vehicles already in line to be tested.
Officials estimateed that more than 1,600 swab tests would be conducted by 5 p.m. Friday.
#BREAKING from @FLSERT #COVID19 TEST @OCCC: the testing line has been cutoff at Convention Center Way for the day to allow all cars in the queue to be processed. We are estimating today's active virus (swab) tests to exceed 1,600 by 5 p.m.
— Florida Association of Public Information Officers (@FloridaPIOs) June 26, 2020
Earlier in the day, the Florida Health Department reported almost 9,000 new coronavirus cases for the state, with Orange County seeing a huge jump at more than 1,000 cases.
In the past few days alone, more than 10,000 people were added to the overall infection count statewide.
Dozens of cars already lined up at the corner of Destination and Universal before the @OCCC coronavirus testing site opens at 9.
— JSotoNews13 (@JSotoNews13) June 26, 2020
Yesterday, the site tested around 1500 people on day 2 of Florida seeing a 5,000 case increase in cases. #N13COVID19 @MyNews13 pic.twitter.com/GKv3JCMNE4
There was already a steady line of cars at 5:30 a.m. Friday at the Orange County Convention Center coronavirus testing site.
Laura Wheeler from Apopka was the second car in line. She got there at 2:15 a.m. Friday.
A slight cough prompted her to get tested.
"With the spike, it's probably best to just know what my status is right now," Wheeler said.
One woman said this was her only option to get tested, and she still couldn’t get through the long line because of the Florida heat.
“I tried to get an appointment but everywhere is booked,” said Fae Katz. “They only thing they told me is I can come here, first come first served but nope – my car overheated.”
A day earlier, about 1,500 people were tested at the convention center.
The Florida Department of Health in Orange County said it has met virtually with the Orange County Public Schools superintendent, and they say they're working together as the state has put out guidelines to increase testing for children.
Orange County Health Department Director Dr. Raul Pino said the children's hospital is testing children, and the Department of Health is planning to do the same.
"The issue with testing children in a mobile environment is that you need the consent of the parent and you have to verify the parent is the person that is there," Pino said.
He said a primary care physician can order tests from commercial labs as well.
At last check, the Orange County Health Department said about 20 percent of people test positive who are asymptomatic.
Officials at the convention center testing site urged people who want to get tested to have a full tank of gas, have a working air conditioner in their vehicles, and functioning windows that move completely up and down.
Testing resumes at 9 a.m. Saturday morning.
The tests at the site are free.
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