How do I get tested? Free coronavirus testing is available Wednesdays and Fridays by appointment at the former headquarters of the City’s Regional Transit System. Please call 352-334-8810 to schedule an appointment.
Individuals interested in testing for COVID-19 antibodies should contact their primary care providers for a doctors order.
Individuals who donate blood at any LifeSouth donor center or bloodmobile will be tested for COVID-19 antibodies. (Results used for surveillance and research purposes only.)
How are we ensuring that individuals who have tested positive for COVID19 are quarantined?The Alachua County Health Department is monitoring isolated individuals.
What is being done to determine how much of the virus is spread by community?Testing data and investigations informs our understanding of this disease in our community.
Is there any testing being done for patients who have already had COVID19 to determine how long they remain contagious?This research is ongoing. A person should be quarantined for 14 days after exposure to a confirmed case. All persons who are experiencing symptoms of a respiratory illness should self-isolate and not leave home until after these 3 things have happened:
- You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use medicine that reduces fevers)
AND
- other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved)
AND
- at least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared
Are our hospitals prepared with enough masks, respirators, staff and hospital beds? Yes. The Alachua County Health Department has been supporting our local hospitals, private providers, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and long term care facilities with these assets.
Do we need to have precaution of purchasing food from grocery stores? Can the virus be on any packaging?Currently, there is no evidence that purchasing food and handling associated packaging poses a significant risk. Individuals should avoid touching their face in public and use proper hand washing after public exposure.
Is anyone working on antibodies for this virus? Research on all aspects of this disease is currently occurring. We recommend checking www.CDC.gov/ for the latest information.
I am having trouble filing for Unemployment, what should I do?The State of Florida is currently experiencing a large volume of unemployment requests but they are working through them as fast as possible. If you need immediate assistance, please use the Request Assitance form on the Community Portal to contact Community Support Services about your specific needs.
Do we have a racial demographic breakdown of confirmed cases of COVID-19?The
Alachua County Health Department has released details on confirmed cases by
age, gender, county, zip code and city of residence. Other county
specific details are not currently being released though this item is being
discussed.
If we have to be quarantined for 14 days, are you positive that we will not develop symptoms of the virus? What happens on day 15?The
14-day quarantine is not intended to guarantee that an individual will not
develop symptoms of COVID-19. Our
current understanding of the incubation period (time of exposure to time of
symptom onset) is averaging 5 days, with 14 days capturing the onset of
symptoms in the vast majority of cases.
Are the libraries open?
All Alachua County Library District branches are open for browsing, computer use, and printing services during all operating hours. Outside services are available 1-5 p.m. when branches are open, weather permitting.
Branch hours are:
- Headquarters Library and Millhopper, Tower Road, and Alachua branches: Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday noon-5 p.m.
- Hawthorne, High Springs, and Newberry branches: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday noon-5 p.m.
- Cone Park and Library Partnership branches: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Archer, Micanopy, and Waldo branches: Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Learn more at www.aclib.us/services.
Text 352-578-1184.
Email ask@aclib.libanswers.com
Visit www.aclib.us/askus to chat with us.
Are classes and programs still happening?Virtual programs, book clubs, and classes are held on Facebook and Zoom. Learn more at www.aclib.us/live
Are you going to have more eBooks?We are purchasing additional copies of popular electronic titles as we are able to according to publisher restrictions.
How does outside service work?- Place holds for books, DVDs, and other materials online at www.aclib.us/catalog or call your preferred branch. Be sure to select which branch you would like to pick up from.
- You will receive a notification when your items are ready. Bring your library card or photo identification when you go to pick up your library materials.
- Follow the instructions at your library branch to pick up your materials outside.
Are book drops open?Yes, book drops are open at all 12 branches.
Are bookmobiles making stops?No, bookmobile operations are still suspended.
How do I make an appointment to use a computer or copier?Please call your preferred branch to make an appointment. Appointments are also available on a walk-up basis Sunday through Saturday, depending on each location’s operating hours.
- Headquarters Branch 352-334-3939
- Alachua Branch 386-462-2592
- Archer Branch 352-495-3367
- Cone Park Branch 352-334-0720
- Hawthorne Branch 352-481-1920
- High Springs Branch 386-454-2515
- Library Partnership Branch 352-334-0165
- Micanopy Branch 352-466-3122
- Millhopper Branch 352-334-1270
- Newberry Branch 352-472-1135
- Tower Road Branch 352-333-2840
- Waldo Branch 352-468-3298
Are you accepting book donations?We aren’t able to accept book and other media donations right now.
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Are masks still required?Persons working in or visiting grocery stores, restaurants, bars, dance halls, nightclubs, in-store retail establishments, pharmacies, public transit vehicles, vehicles for hire, along with locations inside or outside, where social distancing measures are not possible shall appropriately wear facial coverings.
Does my child need to wear a mask?A facial covering shall not be required for children under six, persons who have trouble breathing due to a chronic pre-existing condition or individuals with a documented or demonstrable medical problem.
Are signs still required?All businesses in which persons are required to wear facial covering, shall post the appropriate signage in color in both English and Spanish, available here. http://alachuacounty.us/covid-19/ or by calling 311 (for preprinted sign). Signs shall be at least 11in x 17in. Signage shall be posted in conspicuous locations, which are clearly visible to the patrons and employees throughout each physical location reminding patrons and employees to observe social distancing requirements and to use facial coverings, as required by this Emergency Order. Signage shall be posted, at a minimum, at all points of access (including employee points of access) and throughout the service and activity. Whenever possible, signage shall be posted between 4ft and 5ft as measured from the floor to the bottom of the sign.
Are the size of gatherings limited?Groups with more than 50 people are not permitted to congregate in a space that does not readily allow for appropriate social distancing unless individuals are wearing facial coverings. Gatherings of any size can be dispersed if social distancing or masking is not happening.
1. Who is in charge of the vaccination process in Florida?
2. Is there a priority list that determines who will get the vaccine and when?The Governor’s Executive Order 23-315 states:
During this first phase of vaccine administration, all providers administering any COVID-19 vaccine shall only vaccinate the following populations:
- Long-term care facility residents and staff;
- Health care personnel with direct patient contact; and
- Persons 65 years of age and older.
Hospital providers, however, also may vaccinate persons who they deem to be extremely vulnerable to COVID-19. Prioritization for vaccine administration is based on available quantities, risk factors for specific populations, advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and advice from health care experts.
3. Who will receive vaccines for distribution?The following agencies are in the distribution system:
- Statewide, hospitals will be receiving the largest number of vaccinations. UF Health Shands and North Florida Regional Medical Center hospitals will receive large numbers of the County’s vaccine allotment and be responsible for vaccinating their employees and their employees, beginning with front-line providers. The hospitals will play a role in vaccinations for the general public, beginning with those age 65 and over. Some hospitals, including UF Health Shands and Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, have begun to invite their patients (age 65 for UF Health and 75 for VA) and over to schedule a vaccination appointment. The hospitals will eventually play a role in vaccinations for the general public, beginning with those over 65. These details are being developed.
- The Health Department will be responsible for vaccinating their employees, EMS and paramedic personnel, residents of Tacachale Developmental Disability Center, other long-term care facilities housing seniors, seniors and staff at Grace Market Place, and the general public, beginning with residents 65 and older (with the assistance of hospitals).
- At the moment, CVS and Walgreens are currently responsible for vaccinating residents of certain nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
4. How many vaccine doses have been given so far?
5. When do we expect to have the vaccine availability and rollout for the general public?We do not know. This information should be coming soon. Part of the challenge is that the distributor who delivers the vaccines on behalf of the federal government to the states only provides delivery information seven days out, with local hospitals and the health department getting a 1- or 2-day notice. Currently, the State does not know what it will receive outside of that 7-day window.
6. What is the difference between the Moderna and Pfizer vaccine? Is one safer? More effective?
7. What is happening with the 65 and older registration list? When and how will those registered be notified?Over 19,000 of the County’s approximately 40,000 residents 65 and older have registered. Over the coming weeks, they will be notified in various ways, including contacts by their primary care physicians, the Health Department, and notices of Community Clinics. All vaccinations will be by appointment to avoid long lines and dangerous congregations of at-risk people. The appointments have begun and the health department is calling the oldest registrants first, down to those age 65. There are over 4,000 registrants that are over 80 years old. Nursing home and assisted living resident vaccinations have begun.
8. If I am over 65 and registered with the County but also a UF Health patient, what do I do if I get a call from the county for a vaccine appointment? Please schedule your vaccine with the first entity that contacts you. It doesn’t matter who provides the vaccine — Alachua County, NFRMC, the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center — just that you are vaccinated as quickly as possible.
9. How long is the vaccine effective? Do we have to get it every year like the flu shot?It is not known if further vaccinations or “boosters” will be needed in the future.
10. How will our health department and health care health care providers determine who is most vulnerable?Several factors determine this, including age, pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and kidney function.
11. Will there be a list of which types of people - health risks/jobs that are considered essential and priorities for the phases?The Governor is setting these priorities. As the Governor’s directives are evolving, the State Health Office may make these determinations. The health department welcomes the input of local elected officials and others for consideration. View the Governor’s Executive Order 23-315 to see his current priorities.
12. Within categories, such as age currently, how are our health department and health care providers prioritizing who gets the vaccine since we do not have enough to treat everyone?The Health Department's general approach is to schedule those who are oldest first.
13. Whom should I call or where can I go to get more info about the vaccine and the timeline as it becomes clear?
14. Will my healthcare provider be able to give me the vaccine and how much does it cost?Healthcare providers may be able to administer the vaccine with no out-of-pocket cost to you.
15. What happens if someone calls to set up appointment and I don't answer? Do I get put at the bottom of the list?The Florida Department of Health in Alachua County makes three attempts to call and if there is no answer, they move on to the next youngest person.
16. How do medical providers not affiliated with UF Health Shands or North Florida Regional Medical Center sign up for vaccinations?
17. How do I get my second dose of the vaccine?When you get your first dose, you should schedule your second dose with that entity before you leave.
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