COVID-19 Resource Center
Health Advisory:If you are experiencing fever and/or respiratory symptoms, please call the Clinic at 941-964-2276 for instructions prior to your visit.
Office HoursThe Boca Grande Health Clinic Hours of Operation are 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM Monday thru Friday, except Holidays. If you need to reach the on-call physician after hours, call 941-964-2276 for instructions.
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The Latest Information (09/03/2021)
COVID-19 Delta cases continue to rise across the country, in Florida, and right here on our own Island.
Despite government efforts to increase vaccination rates, the pandemic carries on and will continue to present new and serious health challenges. New coronavirus variants are emerging and becoming even more contagious, spreading quickly even by those who have been vaccinated and are asymptomatic.
We must accept that COVID-19 is here to stay and remain hyper alert and adapt as data and information becomes available.
The Clinic and Island business and community leaders will again meet regularly to discuss the latest information and recommendations and to determine what actions may be necessary. The Clinic plans another robust series of healthcare education events and webinars open to the public. The first will be in October and will be a welcome back to the Island event covering the primary things everyone should know about COVID-19 when returning to the Island.
COVID-19 Testing
On-island COVID-19 testing is available to Clinic patients. There are basically two kinds of tests available: viral tests and antibody tests. A viral test tells you if you have a current infection. An antibody test might tell you if you had a past infection.
We currently offer COVID-19 testing with a saliva PCR test, a molecular test that detects the virus’s genetic material. This is a test for active infection. You perform the test at home and ship the sample via FedEx Express. Results are usually available in one to three days. We also have rapid antigen testing, which involves a nasal swab and tests for active infection. We perform the rapid tests in a designated area outside of the Annex building.
COVID-19 Antibody Testing
The Clinic offers COVID-19 Antibody Testing through Quest Diagnostics. This test requires a blood draw and can give confirmation of a previous infection with COVID-19. Call our dedicated line at 941-964-0490 for more information and to schedule an appointment.
COVID-19 Testing at the Clinic: At a Glance
| Test Name | Purpose/Use | Method of Collection | Time Until Result | Reliability (how often the test is accurate) | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid Antigen Detects viral proteins | Use in the first 1-5 days of symptoms (Best used in those that are ill) | Nasal swab | 15 minutes | Negative result ~80% accurate Positive result ~95% accurate | Preliminary result Follow with PCR for confirmation. |
| PCR Detects viral RNA | Use in symptomatic or for asymptomatic (exposure or after travel) | Saliva | 1-3 days | “Gold standard” 95% accurate in those that are ill | Can be less accurate if done early in illness or early after exposure. |
| IgG Antibody | Use to determine if recovered from previous infection Use to determine plasma donor | Blood draw | 1-3 days | Over 90% accurate (see “other”) | Best done 4-6 weeks after infection. Not all develop antibodies after confirmed acute infection and can fall to non-detectable levels 3-4 months after acute infection. |
See the Clinic’s COVID-19 Weekly Testing Statistics
Gasparilla Island Wastewater COVID-19 Detection Testing Data
Testing by the Gasparilla Island Wastewater Association (GIWA) is suspended during the summer. The chart below provides the last test results available.
What does it mean?
The data points represent the concentration of 2 locations (N1 and N2) on the nucleocapside gene of SARS CoV2, the virus responsible for Covid-19 infections, that is detected each week in the wastewater of Gasparilla Island. Studies have shown that spikes of detectable virus concentration in the wastewater can precede detection of an increase of community cases of Covid-19 by 4-7 days. This data is monitored to assist with focusing testing, resources and education on preparation and precautions in the community.
COVID-19 in Florida
Find out the activity level of COVID-19 in Florida using Florida’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Dashboard (Web Mapping Application), which provides the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 cases by county
The Florida Department of Health website also has data available by zip code: Check our zip code 33921
Access Johns Hopkins University’s COVID-19 Tracking Project data on Florida and see real-time global and individual country data.
Help prevent the spread of COVID-19
Every infection counts as a chance for new variants to emerge and we all need to continue to do our part to help prevent the spread.
- Get a COVID-19 vaccine.
- Wear a mask to protect yourself and others and stop the spread of COVID-19.
- Stay at least 6 feet (about two arm lengths) from others who don’t live with you.
- Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.
- Clean your hands often, either with soap and water for 20 seconds or a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean frequently touched objects and surfaces daily. If someone is sick or has tested positive for COVID-19, disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
- Monitor your health daily.