Brooksville Fla. – The Florida Department of Health in Hernando County (DOH-Hernando) has partnered with Nomi Health to provide no-cost, COVID-19 testing at the Hernando County Fairgrounds beginning Thursday, August 12, 2021. The drive-thru site will be open 7 days a week, from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Appointments are highly recommended to avoid wait times. To make an appointment visit https://testing.nomihealth.com/signup/fl.

“We are seeing an increase in positive cases among residents who are not vaccinated,” Florida Department of Health Administrator Robin Napier shared. “The Health Department has collaborated with Nomi Health, a COVID-19 testing and vaccination provider, to offer no-cost testing to the community. The site will supplement our pharmacies and medical providers in Hernando County who have been overwhelmed with the demand for testing.”

The testing site entrance is on the back side of the Fairgrounds, entering from Oliver Street. Residents should be prepared to stay in their vehicles while awaiting testing. Restroom facilities will not be available. Only people who are being tested should be in the vehicle with the exception of parents, guardians, or caregivers. No pets are permitted in the vehicle during tests.

If you’re experiencing non-life-threatening symptoms or think you’ve been exposed to COVID-19, contact your health care provider or make an appointment for a COVID-19 test. Self-isolate until you receive confirmation of your results to help slow the spread.

Symptoms of COVID-19 may include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

For more information on Nomi Health, visit: https://nomihealth.com/ or call 904-295-0562 to reach a customer service agent.

Additional testing and vaccine locations

Local and commercial pharmacies, as well as our community health care providers (health centers, urgent cares, physicians, hospitals, etc.) continue to offer COVID-19 testing throughout Hernando County. Individuals can find COVID-19 Testing Sites in Hernando County on the DOH-Hernando website and on the DOH COVID-19 Testing Sites Locator. It is recommended that residents call prior to arrival to ensure they meet any guidelines required by the provider. COVID-19 testing is not available at the health department.

DOH-Hernando continues to urge all eligible individuals (including those who have already had COVID-19 and recovered) to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, and they protect people from getting sick or severely ill with COVID-19. For frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccination, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html.

About the Florida Department of Health 

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @HealthyHernando. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.