News Briefs for August 26-September 1, 2021

Posted

COVID-19 testing site at St. Augustine Visitor Information Center offers free tests

The COVID testing site that opened earlier last week at the St. Augustine Visitor Information Center, operated by Flagler Health+ in partnership with the City of St. Augustine and Ivy Medical, is now be a free testing site.  

“We are grateful to have found a solution with support from the State of Florida to begin offering COVID tests at no charge to those who need them,” stated Flagler Health+ President & CEO Jason Barrett. “The ability to access COVID-19 testing is an important component to stopping the spread of the virus.”

Anyone who has already been through the testing site will receive a refund and anyone who currently has an appointment scheduled will not be charged.

The COVID-19 testing site is located at the bus loop on the north side of the Historic Downtown Parking Facility on West Castillo Drive and is open 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Expanded hours are being discussed, based on demand.

Patients must schedule an appointment for their test by downloading the Flagler Health+ Anywhere app or going to the Flagler Health Anywhere, app.flaglerhealthanywhere.com.

Testing is available for all ages, but a parent or guardian must be present for children under 18 to be tested.

For more information, go to flaglerhealth.org/StAcovidtesting.

Lighthouse 5K postponed until March

The Lighthouse 5K Run/Walk & Fun Run, originally scheduled for Sept. 18, has been postponed. The new date is March 5. Members of the Junior Service League of St. Augustine decided to postpone the event due to the recent increase of COVID cases in St. Johns County and surrounding areas.

The race will be held at 4 p.m. on the new date, with the fun run scheduled for 5 p.m.

Participants who have already registered for the race will be notified of the new date. Registration for the event will begin again approximately two months prior to the race. Stay updated at jslofstaugustine.org 

The League hosts the annual event to support the St. Augustine Lighthouse. The inaugural race in 1983 was originally titled the “Bud Light Twilight Lighthouse Run.”

The Lighthouse 5K is a chipped race that serves as a qualifier for the Gate River Run. Proceeds from the Lighthouse 5K Run/Walk & Fun Run benefit numerous League service projects and provide financial support for nonprofit organizations in St. Augustine and the St. Johns County community.

The Lighthouse 5K Run/Walk & Fun Run is held at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, 81 Lighthouse Ave., St. Augustine. For further information or to register, go to  jslofstaugustine.org/about/events/lighthouse-5k.