Traffic Backed Up On Old Bradenton Road As Long Waits For COVID Testing Continues: Police

SARASOTA, FL — With a long line of cars outside the COVID-19 testing at the former Sarasota Kennel Club site at 5400 Old Bradenton Road, traffic is backed up in the area, Sarasota police shared on Facebook.

Wait times range from three-and-a-half to four hours after cars enter the parking lot, police said. Officers are helping to control traffic in the area.

This drive-thru site offers both PCR and rapid tests Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Police and local leaders encourage people to go to other Sarasota County testing sites that are open to the public for free COVID-19 testing:

• Ed Smith Stadium, 2700 12th Street, Sarasota. This drive-thru site offers PCR tests daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Robert L. Taylor Community Complex parking lot, 1845 34th Street, Sarasota. This walk-up site offers PCR and rapid tests Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Dallas White Park, 5900 Greenwood Ave., North Port. This walk-up site offers PCR and rapid tests Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

COVID-19 testing is in demand across the state during the current surge in cases. More than 142,000 new cases of the virus were reported statewide over New Year’s weekend and hospitalizations have doubled in the past week.

The weekly COVID-19 report from the Florida Department of Health showed that 298,455 new cases, a new case positivity rate of 26.5 percent and 32 deaths were reported in Florida from Dec. 24-30.

During this same period, Sarasota County saw 2,748 new cases reported and a 16.5 percent new case positivity rate.

No appointments are needed. Rapid tests at the Taylor Community Complex and Dallas White Park are for first responders and school-aged children only.

Select pharmacies and other health care facilities in Sarasota County also offer testing including:

• America's Pharmacy
• CVS
• Ellenton Urgent Care
• MCR Health
• Quest Diagnostics
• Sarasota Memorial Urgent Care Centers
• Walgreens

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