TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — The rush to get tested ahead of returning to work and school for the new year can be seen long before you get to the Bragg Stadium test site.
Traffic is backing up along Wahnish Way and wrapping around Bragg Memorial Stadium.
Site leaders expect Monday's testing totals to top their most recent record of more than 3,200 visitors.
They attribute most of the rush to post-travel community spread and to overflow from when the site closed last Saturday due to inclement weather.
As Student Health Services Director Tanya Tatum explains, the influx of people coming to the site is cause for concern about more than just long lines and wait times.
"Quite frankly, the numbers just don't look good," says FAMU Director of Student Health, Tanya Tatum. "We have significant community transmission of COVID-19. The fact that we have this new strain of the virus that is more transmissible we are just now becoming more aware of it we're just now testing for it so I'm assuming and probably rightfully so that is already circulating."
Even as their test load nearly doubles and they add additional staff to manage the crowd, Tatum encourages everyone to get tested as often as they feel is needed.
She also says FAMU is working on adding an additional swabbing site strictly for staff and students to help relieve a portion of the numbers visiting Bragg.
