Procedure For Coronavirus Testing

LABELLE, FL. -- The Florida Department of Health in Hendry County is now a COVID-19 collection/testing site. This gives private physicians (who don't provide testing) the opportunity to have their clients tested.

Only 536 tests have been given so far in Hendry county, or 1 in about 77 residents; those who first have been to a doctor and have qualified to get the test based on their symptoms. 1 in 496 people in Hendry have tested positive, now at 83 total cases. 26 of the cases are from Hendry's two nursing homes. The cases are divided approximately equally by Black, White, and Hispanic.

The CDC added 6 new symptoms for COVID-19. People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus: •Fever •Cough •Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing •Chills •Repeated shaking with chills •Muscle pain •Headache •Sore throat •New loss of taste or smell.

Please see the process below to get tested at the Health Department:
· Contact your healthcare provider.
· Your healthcare provider will enter an order into their Quest Diagnostics account to create a "requisition" (Not a prescription).
· Your healthcare provider gives you a copy of the requisition.
· You then call the Health Department for an appointment to be tested.

· Appointments at the Clewiston Health Department are available on Tuesdays from 10am until noon. (1100 S. Olympia Ave, Clewiston. Phone (863) 983-1408.)
· Appointments at the LaBelle Health Department are available on Fridays from 10am until noon. (1140 Pratt Blvd, LaBelle. (863) 674-4041)

· The Health Department collects the sample confidentially at curbside. (You will remain in your vehicles during the sampling process)

· The Health Dept sends the sample to a Quest Diagnostics laboratory.
· Test results will be sent to your healthcare provider.
· You will be notified by your healthcare provider of your test results.