Drive-thru coronavirus testing site opens in The Villages

Coronavirus testing has come to The Villages, a community vulnerable to COVID-19.

"This is one of the largest retirement communities and our average age is 68, so we have a lot of people over 70,” Art Donnelly, of The Villages said.

MORE NEWS: Orange County COVID-19 testing site to open Monday by appointment only

The University of Florida Health set up a testing site at The Villages Polo Club. The tents are set up. Testing is by appointment only. You must register online.

Art Donnelly volunteered to be tested.

“We found out through other sources that the University of Florida is looking for normal people that don’t have any symptoms to participate in their research program,” Donnelly said.

FOX 35 saw many villagers drive up on their golf carts to get a look at the testing area.

MORE NEWS: Tracking Coronavirus: Over 1,000 positive COVID-19 cases confirmed in Florida, death toll rises to 13

“I am worried,” Frank Azzariti, of The Villages, said. “My wife has a lung disease so we were taking the extra precautions, and personally, I think it’s going to get a lot worse than people think it’s going to get."

Donnelly stopped by to see how long it would take him to get there for his test.

“Clearly if there was an opportunity for this virus to spread, it would be a community like this,” Donnelly said. “So, I think it is great the governor and the University of Florida has taken the initiative to come down here and try to do something about it.”

Governor DeSantis spoke from The Villages on Monday morning just after a drive-thru coronavirus testing site opened there.

While the UF testing will be located at The Villages, it’s open to people who book appointments online at the website, https://ufhealthcovid.com.

MORE NEWS: Chief Rolon: Orlando police officer tested positive for COVID-19

A reminder: The testing is by appointment only. If you don’t have an appointment, you will not be tested.

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE

MOBILE USERS: Click here to watch FOX 35 News live