Given the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in Flagler County, the Flagler County Health Department (DOH-Flagler) has added more opportunities for COVID testing and vaccinations in the upcoming weeks.

According to Executive Community Health Nursing Director Mark Linde, the modified approach reflects the department’s concern about the rising number of COVID-related cases, hospitalizations and emergency room visits over recent weeks.

“In June, most days we averaged 10 or fewer positive cases.” said Linde. “Now we are seeing about 50 positive cases every day. We’ve noticed the virus is infecting younger people who thought they were immune and chose not to get vaccinated. The decisions they made are now putting the immunocompromised at greater risk, and eroding the progress we made in trying to put the pandemic behind us.”

While the health department continues to recommend COVID vaccinations for all eligible Flagler residents, they have also added more testing and vaccination opportunities to their weekly outreach efforts. These health department sites offer the Pfizer vaccine for ages 12 and older, as well as free PCR testing at least three days a week.

The revised schedule follows:

Mondays from 5 to 6PM

Santa Maria Del Mar Catholic Church

915 N Central Ave, Flagler Beach

Tuesdays from 4:30 to 6:30PM

Flagler County Health Department

301 Dr. Carter Blvd, Bunnell

Wednesdays from 5 to 6PM

First United Methodist Church

205 N. Pine Street, Bunnell

Fridays from 9AM to 11AM

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church

4600 Belle Terre Pkwy, Palm Coast

Vaccination appointments are preferred, but walk-ups will be accepted. Please call 386-437-7350 ext. 0 for scheduling or questions. Nearly all pharmacies in Flagler County offer COVID-19 vaccinations, and 12 offer Pfizer, which is approved for individuals ages 12 and over.

“And if you have symptoms – cough, body aches, sore throat and fever – please get tested, stay home and self-isolate until you know whether you are positive or not,” added Linde. “It’s incumbent upon all of us to reduce the spread of COVID in our community. This is our shot, Flagler County.”

For more information about COVID-19 vaccination and testing efforts, please visit https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/. 

About the Florida Department of Health

The Florida Department of Health, 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 at @HealthyFla. For more information please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.

For information about the local health department, go to flagler.floridahealth.gov, call 386-437-7350, or visit 301 Dr. Carter Blvd. in Bunnell. You can also listen to our weekly talk radio show “Flagler Health Matters,” Saturdays at 11:30AM, airing on WNZF News Radio 94.9FM or streaming at https://www.flaglerbroadcasting.com/wnzf.