Florida Department of Health provides additional COVID-19 testing

A few vehicles line up during COVID-19 testing in the parking lot of the First Baptist Church in Ocala, Fla. on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. COVID Test Florida is doing the drive-thru testing in partnership with the Florida Department of Health Marion County, the First Baptist Church and Marion County Emergency Management with Genesis Reference Labs processing the COVID-19 tests in their lab. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2021.

The Florida Department of Health in Marion County has announced additional opportunities for local COVID-19 testing.

Beginning on Friday, Feb. 4, Statlab Mobile will offer free, drive-through testing at the campus of the former Evergreen Elementary School, located at 4000 W. Anthony Rd. in Ocala.

Statlab Mobile will provide testing from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays through Mondays, and will continue at the site until further notice. Testing will not be provided at that location on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays.

Statlab Mobile will offer a diagnostic PCR test, with results available within 24 to 48 hours.

The company will notify test recipients of their results via a text message and email.

The following testing opportunities will continue until further notice:

• COVID-19 testing by org continues at the First Baptist Church of Ocala, 2801 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala.
• Free drive-through testing will be provided from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.
• The site will offer diagnostic PCR COVID-19 testing that provides results within three days via a text message or an email containing a link to results on a web portal.
• Expedited test results are available for an additional fee.

People who seek to be tested must enter the church parking lot entrance on SE 30th Ave.

To be tested, individuals should bring a valid photo ID. Minors under the age of 18 will only be tested if they are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. People should be prepared to stay in their vehicles while awaiting testing.

For more information on available COVID-19 testing, call the Department of Health in Marion County at 352-644-2590.