During a recent COVID-19 press conference in The Villages, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that the Florida Division of Emergency Management is distributing BinaxNOW rapid tests across the state to senior communities and long-term care facilities, as well as other sites, to help mitigate the effects of COVID-19 among senior citizens. The BinaxNOW rapid test provides results in 15 minutes or less and does not require results to be run through a lab. The Division plans to distribute 400,000 tests throughout the state per week.
Individuals who are interested in receiving rapid tests for senior living communities may send an email to RapidTestForSeniors@em.myflorida.com. After emailing, the sender will receive an automatic reply with a link to a survey. The survey will allow the requestor to enter their community’s information, including a point of contact. The Florida Division of Emergency Management will then work with these individuals to send the requested rapid tests.
For additional information on COVID-19, including testing sites in Lake County, visit www.lakecountyfl.gov/COVID-19 and follow Emergency Management atwww.facebook.com/LakeCountyFLEmergencyManagement andwww.twitter.com/lakeemergency.
