DeSantis speaks on success of drive-thru testing as cases in Florida reach 763

Florida governor addresses testing sites across the state

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis gives COVID-19 update from State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee. (WPLG)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After Gov. Ron DeSantis spoke Saturday afternoon about Florida’s success in setting up drive-thru testing sites for COVID-19, the Florida Department of Health released new numbers showing confirmed cases in the state have reached 763.

Of the 763 cases, the data shows 706 are Florida residents. Throughout the state, there have been 12 deaths due to the virus.

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In Northeast Florida, the data shows 25 cases in Alachua County, one case in Baker County, six cases in Clay County, 25 cases in Duval County, one case in Nassau County, one case in Putnam County and nine cases in St. Johns County.

While speaking about mobile testing sites that have opened all throughout the state during his Saturday news conference, DeSantis mentioned having spoken with Sheriff Mike Williams about the site outside TIAA Bank Field for people age 65 and older.

“He thinks they may end up expanding the ages to try to get more people in,” DeSantis said. “Every one of these test sites comes with 2,500 collection samples. That’s another 2,500 tests that can be done, and that’s going to be very, very important.”

The governor said Health and Human Services will be sending an additional 5,000 collection kits down to Broward County, which as of Saturday afternoon had the highest number of cases in the state.