Lake County coronavirus testing spikes as health officials focus on contact tracing, education

CLERMONT, Fla — Health officials in Lake County are focused on testing contact tracing and education after coronavirus cases have seen a recent spike.

Less than a month ago, Lake County had 304 cases. Now the cases have gone up to nearly 1,300.

Watch: As positivity rate goes up in Florida, so does demand for testing

Hundreds showed up Tuesday morning for testing at the Department of Health's COVID-19 testing site at the Real Life Church in Clermont. It reached capacity shortly after opening.

“We do have some cases in long term health facilities,” said Aaron Kissler with the Florida Health Department. “We do unfortunately have some cases in our county jail population and unfortunately we do have community spread in Lake County.”

Health officials also admit testing is important and they are working to get more.

Watch: WHO to send team to China to investigate coronavirus origins

Testing was also held at the Lake County Fairgounds on Tuesday, with a $20 charge. Another site will open Wednesday at Lake Sumter College.

Adult Medicine partnered with the county to offer testing next week at Via Port Mall in Leesburg.

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