AdventHealth just partnered up with Daytona International Speedway to create a drive-up COVID-19 testing center. The speedway is one multiple sites that are being set up by the healthcare firm. COVID-19 has a significant presence in Florida at the moment, and the speedway has traffic infrastructure in place to handle traffic to the site. 

500 or more tests are available at this time

AdventHealth Centra Care is offering 500 or more drive-up tests. They became available beginning at 9 a.m. this morning. The healthcare company has a history of working with the speedway in the past on other efforts. So, the drive-up center seemed like a natural extension of that relationship. 

According to the post on the speedway’s website, 

“Making tests available is one of the most important things we can do to prevent further spread of COVID-19 and keep our community safe,” said Dr. Scott Brady, president and CEO of AdventHealth Centra Care. “We’re asking people to stay home and practice social distancing, so bringing testing closer to where they live is essential.”

How to be tested 

The post on the website continues, 

“Those who are symptomatic and wish to be tested should visit AdventHealthCoronaVirusTesting.com to schedule an appointment prior to arrival. They will be asked to enter their contact and insurance information and will be assigned a time to be tested. There will be no out-of-pocket costs, regardless of insurance status. AdventHealth will cover the cost of those who are uninsured. The test consists of coughing and spitting into a cup.”

“We are proud to partner with AdventHealth on this important community initiative,” Daytona International Speedway President Chip Wile said. “Our state-of-the-art facility stands ready to serve as a COVID-19 testing site for local residents.”

The statistics

As of this 5:53 this evening, Valousia County has 187 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and five deaths according to the New York Times tracking database. Over 18,000 deaths have occurred nationwide. The scale of the infection rate and related deaths has prompted calls for faster rollout of drive-up locations throughout the country. 

The speedway in Daytona has canceled motorsports events until further notice. So, have many motorsports sanctioning leagues across the globe. Although virtual racing and its coverage seems to be the form the sport is taking for the time being, race tracks all over are either sitting empty or looking for ways they can contribute to the COVID-19 recovery process. This speedway drive-up center is an excellent example. 

Other initiatives

Daytona International Speedway is also involved in an initiative that aims to provide more than 700 meals across the Daytona Beach area. The aim to work “with local restaurants and local education, government, health care, law enforcement and first responder entities in identifying individuals to receive the free meals.” 

It’s nice to know that the organization running the speedway is not sitting idly by with a vacant facility. Instead, the organization has taken steps to help the local community. Kudos to them. Local residents should reach out to AdventHealth and the Daytona Internationa Speedway for further information on the drive-up testing for the COVID-19 virus, and the meal program.