Orange County updates: COVID testing, rolling positivity rate, emergency rental assistance

COVID-19 BY THE NUMBERS

As of Monday, December 27, 2021, the Florida Department of Health is reporting that Orange County’s 14-day rolling positivity rate is 14.60 percent. Additional County statistics include:

• CDC level of community transmission: HIGH
• Eligible residents (5+) who have one vaccine dose: 74 percent
• Total positive cases for Orange County residents: 252,327

With the rise in positive cases, both Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings and Health Officer for the Florida Department of Health, Dr. Raul Pino, encourages residents to get vaccinated, make sure they are up-to-date with their booster shots, and continue to practice COVID-19 safety measures, including wearing masks, washing hands and social distancing.

DRIVE-THRU COVID-19 TESTING

Orange County Health Services Department continues to provide free testing services to the community. Testing sites will observe the New Year’s holiday from Friday, December 31, 2021, through Saturday, January 1, 2022. During this time, services will be closed. Testing will resume regular operating hours on Sunday, January 2, 2022.

Orange County Health Services Department operates the following testing sites:

• Barnett Park - 4801 W. Colonial Dr., Orlando, FL 32808
  Seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., or until daily capacity is reached
• Econ Soccer Complex - 8035 Yates Road, Orlando, FL 32807; 
  Seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or until daily capacity is reached
• South Orange Youth Sports Complex (opening Thursday, December 30, 2021) - 11800 S. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32824; Seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or until daily capacity is reached

Effective immediately, patients will now be able to request that both rapid antigen and molecular PCR tests performed. However, due to the increase in demand for testing during the holidays, residents should plan to arrive early to Orange County’s testing sites. Long wait times are expected, as well as early closures due to reaching daily capacity limits.

For more information about COVID-19 testing, or for additional testing locations, visit ocfl.net/Testing.

COVID-19 VACCINES

Orange County Health Services Department continues to administer free vaccinations at Barnett Park. The vaccination site will observe the New Year’s holiday from Friday, December 31, 2021, through Saturday, January 1, 2022. During this time, services will be closed. Vaccinations will resume regular operating hours on Sunday, January 2, 2022.

Barnett Park offers vaccinations for individuals 5 years old and older:

• Individuals 12+ Years Old
  Seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., or until daily capacity is reached

Drive-thru: 4801 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32808

• Children 5-11 Years Old
  Saturday and Sunday only, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., or until daily capacity is reached
  Marlin Room, inside main building: 4801 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32808

There are many location options for eligible individuals to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Orange County, including Orange County’s Barnett Park, Orange County Public Schools, mobile vaccination sites, Federal Retail Pharmacies, VA Orlando Health Care and other various community sites.

To find a vaccination site near you, visit ocfl.net/VaccineSites or Vaccines.gov.

#IGOTMYSHOT – UPCOMING VACCINATION OPPORTUNITIES

The #IGotMyShot Mobile Vaccination Trailer continues to visit communities across the County. For more information about the #IGotMyShot trailer or a list of upcoming locations visit ocfl.net/IGotMyShot.

EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE – APPLY NOW

To date, Orange County’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program has provided more than $16 million to keep 2,867 families in their homes.

The program is still open to provide assistance to residents who are behind on rent or at risk of being evicted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible residents include those living in unincorporated Orange County, Apopka, Bay Lake, Belle Isle, Eatonville, Edgewood, Lake Buena Vista, Maitland, Oakland, Ocoee, Orlando, Windermere, Winter Garden and Winter Park.

Residents can visit ocfl.net/RentalAssistance to review program details and to check if their address is eligible.