The Sarasota Department of Health (DOH Sarasota) is set to host two appointment-only COVID-19 drive-thru or walk-up testing events for Sarasota County residents next week. This community-based  testing is for anyone currently experiencing symptoms of the novel coronavirus—including 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. While these are primarily drive-thru sites, DOH Sarasota can accommodate walk-ups, and people on bicycles.

Next week's test sites will be held at the Laurel Civic Association (509 Collins Road, Laurel) on June 2 and Heron Creek Middle School (6501 W. Price Blvd., North Port) on June 3. The Robert L. Taylor Community Complex in Newtown and the drive-thru testing site at the Mall at University Town Center also offer daily testing, including for those who are asymptomatic but want to be tested. To date, DOH Sarasota has tested more than 2,500 community members for COVID-19. 

To make an appointment, call (941) 861-2883, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Callers will be screened using current CDC testing criteria. Appointments are limited; however, more testing opportunities may be scheduled in the future.