TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — While the COVID-19 vaccine is here, we are far from in the clear when it comes to controlling the spread of coronavirus.
Dr. Daniel Van Durme with the Florida State University College of Medicine says more testing is crucial right now.
"The big issue is as it gets colder, people stay inside more. As the holidays come around, people gather together more. Here and elsewhere, we're expecting to see increasing rates during this Thanksgiving into Christmas holiday," said Dr. Van Durme.
Weeks after the Thanksgiving holiday, some communities are still feeling the impacts of travel and large gatherings; impacts that won't go anywhere as we approach Christmas.
"We can't feel comfortable with the rates we're seeing now. The numbers that we're seeing put us into a red zone, a danger zone, a high probability of getting infected zone. More than ever, we need to double down," said Dr. Van Durme.
Through the Leon CARES Act, the county government and the Leon County Department of Health will expand testing opportunities.
The goal is to get more control over the spread of the virus. A key focus is on contact tracing.
"These funds in part are to help us with our Leon County Health Department, health clinics with testing and contact tracing. If someone tests positive, we need to have the resources to help us find people who might have been infected by that one person, " said Leon County Commission Chairman Rick Minor.
This week the county is hosting more pop-up testing sites.
On Saturday, Dec. 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., a site will open at Sabal Palm Elementary School.
On Sunday, Dec. 20 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., you can get tested at Leon County's Northeast Branch Library.
On Monday, Dec. 21 you can get tested at North Monroe Medical Center from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
On Dec. 30, North Monroe Medical Center is testing for COVID-19 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Starting Jan. 6, the location will test during those hours every Wednesday until March 31.
You can find the full details about the testing sites by clicking here.
