JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The recent problem for people in Jacksonville hasn't been getting a test, it's been getting a rapid test without an appointment.
The problem personified by long line of cars at the Regency Mall in Arlington Monday. The site is offering free rapid tests.
"Yea I got here around 1 (p.m.) and now it's 1:52 (p.m.)," Jacksonville resident, Keelie Percival, said.
Percival ended up waiting almost four hours for a test.
"I was kind of willing to wait this one out cuz it's the only place I've found that has rapid testing I mean I've look at Walgreens I looked at CVS I looked for at home kits," Percival said.
Demand for rapid tests has significantly increased lately. The Telescope Health testing site reached its testing capacity at 1 p.m. on Monday and closed two hours early.
People are willing to wait hours for what is hopefully a quick resolution.
"You know everybody's got to go to work, everybody's scared of losing their jobs again everybody has families of high risk people. So I feel like everybody's trying to get tested as fast as possible and get results as fast as possible so they can get back to a normal life at this point," Percival said.
If you don't want to wait for a rapid test at the Regency Mall there are other testing options available. You also don't need an appointment.
City of Jacksonville Sites:
Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Clanzel T. Brown Park
- Lane Wiley Senior Center
Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Emmett Reed Community Center
- Cuba Hunter Community Center
Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Rapid and PCR testing available
- Telescope Health Site - 450 Atlantic Blvd. – 32266
You can also make an appointment to get tested at CVS, Walgreens, Quest Diagnostics, and Labcorp.