DOH Sarasota has partnered with CenterPlace Health, NAACP Sarasota Chapter and Light of the World International Church to host a by appointment only COVID-19 drive-thru testing site Friday at the Light of the World International Church located at 3809 Chapel Dr, Sarasota, FL 34234 from 8 a.m. until noon.

"We're very pleased to be working collaboratively with CenterPlace Health, Sarasota County's safety-net health care provider, as well as the Sarasota Chapter of the NAACP and Light of the World Church to make this testing opportunity possible," said Chuck Henry, Sarasota County Health Officer. "Partnerships like this help to increase our ability to provide more community testing that is neighborhood-based." DOH Sarasota began community based COVID-19 drive-thru testing sites as a strategy to increase testing in the county earlier this month. "We're happy to help to bring increased COVID-19 testing to our community," said Trevor Harvey, President-Sarasota NAACP. "DOH Sarasota has done a good job not only making testing available throughout the county, but by making it accessible as well."

"At Light of the World, we believe in making ourselves available to serve our community. So, it was a pleasure for us to partner with all these great organizations to provide continued testing for our community", said Kelvin L. Lumpkin, Senior Pastor.

CenterPlace Health has been testing for COVID-19 regularly at its three sites in Sarasota County since mid-March. "This partnership helps us expand our capacity and reach more people, where they are. In addition to testing, CenterPlace Health is also able to offer treatment and follow-up care" said Melissa Parker, CenterPlace Health CEO. "These types of partnerships are critical for expanding testing capacity in Sarasota County."

This community based COVID-19 testing is for anyone who is currently experiencing symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell) or who works in a health care setting.

To make an appointment, please call 941-861-2883. Callers will be screened using current CDC testing criteria. Appointments are limited however the department is evaluating community COVID-19 testing opportunities in the future.

For more information from the Florida Department of Health.