COVID-19 testing at Collier County test sites becomes limited week of Jan 4

In Collier County, people who had appointments to get the coronavirus vaccine waited in long lines to get the shot to start the week.

Florida Department of Health in Collier County also announced Monday it canceled COVID-19 testing for all sites, with the exception of one Thursday, so we looked at other options for people to still get tested during the week.

As waitlists fill up for the vaccine, Florida Department of Health in Collier County says its testing sites are taking a pause.

“Any distribution process they can come up with given the quantity and the need, I can live with it,” Gary Clayton said.

Clayton signed up for the waitlist to get his vaccine and says he’s OK with testing taking a backseat, believing vaccinations should be priority.

“If the symptoms are there, they will find a way to test,” Clayton said.

There is still testing available in Collier, but not done by the County.

Walgreens, CVS pharmacies and urgent care clinics are still offering testing by appointment.

“I would say, personally, people should still get tested if they feel sick,” Amanda Ebel said.

However, Ebel says it is a little worrisome to have the lack of testing in the area.

“I’m a teacher, so it worries me for the fact students are coming in,” she said. “And I don’t want them to get sick and then give it to us, and we get sick. That’s my concern.”

Ebel and Clayton both question if the testing sites closing will affect the COVID-19 numbers.

“If you don’t get tested, you can’t prove that you have it,” Ebel said.

“Mathematically, the answer would be yes, but you still have the issue of the symptomatic people, so,” Clayton said.

The only County COVID-19 test site in Collier will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday at North Collier Regional Park.

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