County changes testing criteria at convention center

Orange County no longer is limiting coronavirus testing to those 65 and older at the regional drive-thru center.

By Amy Quesinberry
| 5:30 p.m. March 31, 2020

West Orange Times & Observer
News

Beginning Wednesday, April 1, the regional drive-thru testing site will not limit testing for COVID-19 to residents 65 and older. This site is at the Orange County Convention Center’s North Concourse parking lot, 9400 Universal Blvd., Orlando.

The site opens daily at 9 a.m. and is for residents throughout the region, not just Orange County.

This and other temporary testing sites were set up to reduce overwhelming the health departments and help prevent unnecessary illness spread at health care facilities. At these sites, individuals will have their swab sample collected and the sample will be sent to approved testing labs.

To meet the criteria for getting tested, residents must exhibit a fever of 99.6 or higher and be experiencing respiratory symptoms; or they must have a pre-existing condition, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension and chronic lung disease.

Healthcare workers and first responders can get tested, regardless of symptoms.

author

Amy Quesinberry

Community Editor Amy Quesinberry was born at the old West Orange Memorial Hospital and raised in Winter Garden. Aside from earning her journalism degree from the University of Georgia, she hasn’t strayed too far from her hometown and her three-mile bubble. She grew up reading The Winter Garden Times and knew in the eighth grade she wanted to write for her community newspaper. She has been part of the writing and editing team since 1990.