“A Great Day for Volusia County,” Referencing State COVID Testing Site.

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News

Volusia County Government held a press conference Wednesday, thanking the efforts of collaboration between the County and State Officials, as well as the collaboration of all 16 Mayors of Volusia County.

“It is a great day for Volusia County,” Chairman Ed Kelly said opening the press conference.

Mayor Don Burnette of Port Orange, (who is also the President of Volusia League of Cities a.k.a VLC), praised the efforts of all the Mayors in the county for collaborating well and efficiently in coming up with a plan that resulted in Governor Ron DeSantis picking Volusia County as one of five counties that would receive state-backed rapid testing.

Holly Hill Mayor, Chris Via, came up with this effort when he took a bad situation and made an effort to make it better.

According to officials, Mayor Via began feeling symptoms of the COVID-19 virus weeks ago. Like everyone else, Mayor Via, had an issue receiving back results while he was isolating himself, and his family. Via reported that he was tested and then self-isolated himself for 28 days without knowing results.

“I heard from you (the residents) about having to choose between going to work to put food on the table or stay home to protect colleagues from getting sick,” Via said at the press conference. “No one should have to make that choice.”

With the help of County Staff, Governor DeSantis, State Representatives, Chairman Kelly, and Mayor Burnette and the VLC, a letter was drafted by the VLC (Approved by County Council), to Governor DeSantis asking him to include Volusia County in the state’s Rapid Testing sites.

The logistics behind the testing site came with great collaboration between Florida's Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), Volusia County Staff, and Ronnie Hall for allowing the use of the Fairgrounds.

While the site doesn't officially open until Friday, August 14, at the Volusia County Fair Grounds, there is a soft opening tomorrow, August 13.

Both Viral and Anti-body testing is available at the testing site.  

The state is assuring results in 2-5 days for viral testing, a self-administered nasal swab (Capacity: 1250/day), and 30-minutes for antibody testing, a blood draw (Capacity: 200/day). No symptoms are required for testing. Viral testing is for anyone aged 5-years-old and older, and Antibody testing is for 18-years-old and older. Residents 18-years-old and older are required to bring a valid ID.

Residents are encouraged to pre-register and set an appointment to make the process go by faster. Registration and directions for the self-administered test can be found at 

www.DoIneedaCOVID19Test.com.