Homeless get coronavirus testing in St. Augustine
Health officials tested homeless people for the novel coronavirus in downtown St. Augustine on Friday.
St. Augustine police officers alerted people in the area that testing would be available.
Several Florida Department of Health officials set up a tent at the west entrance to the field and conducted the testing as part of a combined effort with the St. Augustine Police Department.
“This pop-up location was intended for those who may be homeless but was available to anyone wishing to know their current COVID-19 status,” according to Noreen Nickola-Williams, spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Health in St. Johns County.
The department provided the testing for free, as is the case with other COVID-19 testing provided by the department.
Health officials tested 18 people, and 11 of those are homeless, according to Officer Steven Fischer.
Fischer was at the site on Friday and had helped spread the word about the testing.
The idea was to bring the testing closer to people in need, Fischer said.
Vincent Youngberg, who lives in St. Augustine but does not have a home, said he wanted to get a test earlier than Friday but was not able to.
When asked what getting the test meant to him, he said, “Security.”
The test results should be available within 48 to 72 hours, but the timing can vary depending on the lab and the volume of tests being processed, according to Nickola-Williams.
When test results come in, people will be notified by phone, letter or an in-person meeting, Nickola-Williams said in an email to The Record.
She added, “If a homeless person tests positive for COVID-19, we will work to ensure the person has the care and support they need throughout the duration of their illness by using the resources available through the integrated Florida Department of Health and through local community partnerships.”
Documents show that health officials had been considering using hotels to house homeless people who test positive for COVID-19.
Flagler Health+ is the lead agency for the St. Johns County Continuum of Care, which helps coordinate care among homeless service providers in St. Johns County.
The proposed “St. Johns County Continuum of Care- COVID-19 Homeless Response System” plan, which was being reviewed by the Florida Department of Health, suggests housing homeless people individually in hotel rooms if they have tested positive for COVID-19 and are medically stable or asymptomatic.
The person would be transferred to a hospital if needed and would remain in care until being cleared by health officials, according to the proposed plan.
Melissa Nelson, president and CEO of the United Way of St. Johns County, serves as chair of the Continuum of Care.
She said the plans were drawn up in case the situation with the homeless were to worsen. But the plans weren’t finalized because the need didn’t materialize, she said.
“We’re poised and ready to help (the Florida Department of Health) if needed,” she said.