May 13, 2020

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IN WALTON COUNTY ANNOUNCES 4 DRIVE-THRU TESTING SITES IN WALTON COUNTY

Contact:
Patti Roberts
Patricia.roberts@FLHealth.gov
850-401-6353

DeFuniak Springs, Fla.— The Florida Department of Health has established a goal to test two percent of the population as a part of the state’s phase one re-opening strategy beginning May 4. To meet this goal in the month of May, the Florida Department of Health in Walton County (DOH-Walton) is coordinating with community partners to expand testing offered to meet daily targets. Initially, the primary focus is virus testing from throat swabs to help identify those that need contact tracing.

“We are pleased to lift testing criteria restrictions and bring testing to Walton County to achieve the goal of reaching two percent of the population and obtaining a snapshot of our community”, said Holly Holt, Administrator and Health Officer, DOH-Walton. “We will continue to test high priority clients with symptoms at DOH-Walton.”

Symptoms of a possible infection with COVID-19 include fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, muscle pain, new loss of taste or smell, vomiting or diarrhea, and/or sore throat. Community-based testing options are available at no out-of-pocket costs through the following:

As part of the May2Day efforts, additional mobile testing sites will be announced at a later date.

The May2Day tests will be processed by private labs with results typically in 7 days. A member of the DOH-Walton staff will contact you with your results and instructions once they are returned. We continue to ask high-priority patients to stop the spread and call ahead to DOH-Walton at (850) 401-6453 for screening. High priority patients include; hospitalized patients, healthcare facility workers, workers in congregate living settings, and first responders with symptoms, and residents in long-term care facilities or other congregate living settings, including correctional and detention facilities and shelters, with symptoms.

For more Information on COVID-19

For state level text alerts in the fight against COVID-19, text FLCOVID19 to 888-777.

To find the most up-to-date information and guidance on COVID-19, please visit the Department of Health’s dedicated COVID-19 website. For information and advisories from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), please visit the CDC COVID-19 website. For more information about Walton County please visit https://walton.floridahealth.gov/

For any other questions related to COVID-19 in Florida, please contact the Department’s dedicated COVID-19 Call Center by calling (866) 779-6121. The Call Center is available 24 hours per day. Inquiries may also be emailed to COVID-19@flhealth.gov.

The free StrongerThanC19 app is available to both iOS and Android users and can be downloaded from the Apple or Google app stores.

The StrongerThanC19 app and website are designed to gather information to help the Department of Health track and slow the spread of COVID-19 in Florida; they are not intended to be used as a symptom checker designed to dispense medical advice.

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About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information about the Florida Department of Health, please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov .