Orange County provides update on COVID-19 testing sites

Orange County’s first COVID-19 drive-through testing site is set to open Monday, March 23, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said in a press conference Sunday, March 22.

The testing location, run by the Florida Department of Health, will be located along Alafaya Trail. 

A second site, located at the parking lot near the Orange County Convention Center, is scheduled to open Wednesday, Demings said.

“The opening of these sites is really important to all of us, as testing is really the key to perfecting our response and mitigation plans,” Demings said.

According to the Orange County Government website, residents must meet certain criteria in order to qualify for testing. It’s available to residents at least 65 years old who have a temperature of above 99.6 and respiratory symptoms. Results of the test will not be provided on-site — residents will be contacted later after being tested. 

For more information about the locations and making an appointment, visit ocfl.net/coronavirus.

CRISIS RENTAL ASSISTANCE HOTLINE

Demings also announced that Orange County Government will launch a Crisis Rental Assistance Hotline where residents can learn more about the COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program starting Monday, March 23.

The program will provide assistance with one month’s rent, so residents will be able to use their limited funds on other necessities. Residents must call for an appointment in order to bring the necessary documents and the hotline will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

Call (407) 836-6500. or visit ocfl.net/covid-19 for more information and click on the “Resident Resources” tab.