One Lee County resident who was previously determined to have COVID-19 died this weekend according to the Florida Department of Health. Another Florida resident diagnosed with the disease died in California. Also this weekend, there were dozens of newly diagnosed cases of coronavirus in the state, three in Southwest Florida, but those numbers are quickly changing. 

The Department is issuing regular updates as information becomes available on their web site which you can access by clicking here. It includes the location, age and gender of those testing positive for the virus.

Lee Health and NCH Healthcare System announced Friday night they are setting up mobile collection sites for people to be tested for COVID-19. Patients must meet the testing criteria,  and have their test ordered by their physician or provider. At Lee Health, patients must make an appointment before showing up to the collection site. NCH Health is not requiring appointments.

In a news release, the process is explained like this: “Patients will drive up to the site to have samples collected by medical professionals outfitted with personal protective equipment. The sample will then be sent to a lab to be tested. The results will be provided by the patient provider. Collection site locations and operating hours will be announced Monday morning.”

Lee Health and NCH also have plans to expand hours of operation and locations as needed in response to demand.