Hendry/Glades - The Florida Department of Health in Hendry County is now a COVID-19 collection/testing site. This gives private physicians (who don't provide testing) the opportunity to have their clients tested.

The CDC added 6 new symptoms for COVID-19. People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus: •Fever •Cough •Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing •Chills •Repeated shaking with chills •Muscle pain •Headache •Sore throat •New loss of taste or smell.

Please see the process below to get tested at the Health Department:

• Contact your healthcare provider.
• Your healthcare provider will enter an order into their Quest Diagnostics account to create a "requisition" (Not a prescription).
• Your healthcare provider gives you a copy of the requisition.
• You then call the Health Department for an appointment to be tested.
• Appointments at the Clewiston Health Department are available on Tuesdays from 10am until noon. (1100 S. Olympia Ave, Clewiston. Phone (863) 983-1408.)
• Appointments at the LaBelle Health Department are available on Fridays from 10am until noon. (1140 Pratt Blvd, LaBelle. (863) 674-4041)
• The Health Department collects the sample confidentially at curbside. (You will remain in your vehicles during the sampling process)
• The Health Dept sends the sample to a Quest Diagnostics laboratory.
• Test results will be sent to your healthcare provider.
• You will be notified by your healthcare provider of your test results.

To help stop the spread of COVID-19, please remember:

• Stay at home while you wait for your test results
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Cover your coughs and sneezes
• Clean and disinfect frequently used surfaces
• Cover your face if you have to go out in public

To find the most up-to-date information and guidance on COVID-19, please visit the Department of Health’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage and on the DOH dashboard which is updated twice a day at approximately 11:30am and 6:30pm - https://arcg.is/0Hfi5O .

For local information regarding COVID-19, please visit Hendry County’s new dedicated webpage for COVID-19 https://covid-19.hendryfla.net/ and follow Hendry County Emergency Management on Facebook www.facebook.com/hendrycountyemergencymanagement/ .

For information and advisories from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), please visit the CDC COVID-19 website.