New CenturyLink Sports Complex COVID-19 testing site seeks to meet high demand

As the COVID-19 testing demand grows, and wait times to get an appointment increase, Lee County has stepped in to fill the void.

The county has partnered with Nomi Health to set up a new site at the former Curative testing site at CenturyLink Sports Complex offering PCR and rapid tests.

This time, instead of a walk-up site, it’s drive-thru so you can wait in your car avoiding the Florida heat and rain.

And the demand is there. During the first full day of the site being open, one woman we spoke to said she waited for nearly an hour to get her test.

“Yesterday, I was on Walgreens, I was on CVS but like I said, they’re all very far; Cape Coral, you know, south Fort Myers or even down to Naples, and they’re very far and few between,” explained Francheska Patel.

Carol LaJoie said she’s happy about the site opening, adding “Right now it’s impossible to get into CVS.”

In recent weeks, people have packed emergency rooms and urgent cares looking for a test.

In Charlotte County, some urgent cares have closed for testing to make room for emergency COVID-19 patients.

Lee Health has gone so far as to ask people to find someplace else to get a test, so doctors and nurses can handle true emergencies.

At the new Nomi Health site, appointments are available online, and if necessary, you can drive up and register for a test and they’ll try to get you in.

Century Link Sports Complex Drive-thru site
14100 6 Mile Cypress Pkwy.,  Fort Myers, FL 33912

• Free PCR testing for ages 2 and up, results available within 48-72 hours
• Open Monday-Saturday 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Schedule an appointment online or call (904) 295-0562 for more information.

OTHER TESTING SITES

Florida Department of Health Drive-thru site
3920 Michigan Ave. Fort Myers, FL 33916

• Free PCR testing for ages 2 and up, results available within 48-72 hours
• Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Schedule an appointment online or call (904) 295-0562 for more information.