BARNETT PARK

Concerned community members in Orange County's Pine Hills neighborhood held a meeting on Thursday evening to tackle violence and improve the public's perception of the neighborhood.

Thursday marks the final day for anyone impacted by Hurricane Ian to apply for disaster assistance with FEMA.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Two disaster recovery centers open to help Central Florida residents after IanOrange and Osceola county residents impacted by Hurricane Ian can now get some help at one of two new centers that opened Sunday. Along with FEMA, the Department of Children and Families and the Small Business Association officials were on hand to help residents navigate what can be confusing. “This is wonderful because a lot of people don’t have the ability to get the help,” she said. Read: How can Central Florida residents apply for FEMA’s Transitional Shelter Assistance? The DRC in Orange County is located at Barnett Park 4801 W Colonial Dr, Orlando and is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

A FEMA Disaster Recovery Center is scheduled to open on Sunday, Oct. 9 at Barnett Park in Orange County, according to government officials.

As the state continues to see a decline, the World Health Organization said in its latest report that COVID-19 cases and deaths are on the decline globally.

The Florida Department of Health transitioned to biweekly reporting of COVID-19 cases following a drop in infections.

Latest numbers from the state health department show Orange County's COVID-19 positivity rate is under 3%.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County announced Thursday it will close its South Orange Youth Sports Complex and the Econ Soccer Complex COVID-19 testing sites beginning Saturday. “Orange County will continue to monitor our COVID-19 cases in the event we need to reopen these testing sites,” Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings said in a news release. Orange County is awaiting federal funding approval from Congress to continue testing and vaccinations there after March 25. READ: Camping World Stadium COVID-19 testing site to close on MondayVaccinations at Barnett Park for children ages 5-17 will be available daily through March 25. The children’s vaccines will be available in the drive-thru lane and not inside the park’s administration center.

Orange County is extending the life its three drive-thru testing and vaccination sites for another month.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — For more than a month now, the demand for COVID-19 tests has not let up. People in Orange County have been waiting hours in line to get checked for the virus, no matter where they go for a free test. Starting Monday, we could see some change to that as Orange County prepares to open Camping World Stadium to help ease demand. The tents are up and preparations are underway at Camping World Stadium, where more than 3,000 people daily should be able to get a test at the new site. Mayor Buddy Dyer hopes opening another site for testing at Camping World Stadium can change that.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Demand for COVID-19 testing continues to soar in central Florida following the holidays, but the number of people seeking vaccinations pales in comparison. Orange County’s Barnett Park serves as both a testing and vaccination site, and on average the location has been doing 1,500 tests each day and administering 80 vaccinations. READ: Seminole County schools providing teachers, staff with COVID-19 testing kits ahead of new semesterPositivity rates are also hitting record highs. Orange County closed out last week with the second highest positivity rate in the state with roughly one in three people receiving a positive test result. Seminole County has the fourth highest in the state with 30.6%, and Osceola County is right behind at 29.6%.

A health expert said Florida should actually be ramping up testing, rather than cutting back, as the Omicron variant surges across the US.

Traffic for COVID-19 testing at Orange County’s Barnett Park backed up for miles when the site reopened on Sunday after being closed due to the New Year’s holiday.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — It’s going to be a very busy day at COVID-19 testing around Orange County and the rest of the state. Orange County shut down all three sites over the New Year’s holiday. There were already several dozen cars at the Barnett Park testing site. No walk-ups are allowed at the testing sites — you must be in a car. Testing is free but you’ll have to get to the sites early to take advantage of the service.

A testing site at the South Orange Youth Sports Complex opened Thursday.

Cars began lining up outside the Econ Soccer Complex before 6 a.m. on Tuesday.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — With COVID-19 cases on the rise and a shortage of at-home test kits, both Orange County testing sites reached capacity before 3 p.m. on Monday. On Monday, Orange County opened the testing site at Econ Soccer Complex to alleviate some of the strain from Barnett Park. However, Econ faced the same issues as Barnet Park, with long lines of people waiting to get tested. I just wish there was more preparation for something like this.”The county says it is prepared and is testing about 200 people an hour. Econ Complex and Barnett Park are both reopening at 9 a.m. on Tuesday.

The state health department reported 125,201 new cases on Friday in a one-week period as the omicron variant of COVID-19 continues to spread.

Orange County Health Services announced on Wednesday the Econ Soccer Complex will reopen for drive-thru COVID-19 testing starting this week.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — As COVID-19 cases continue to climb in Florida, many people may be wondering where they can find a test. Orange County is opening a second testing site to account for the demand. The new site will be at the Econ Soccer Complex near Colonial Drive and State Road 417. READ: Orange County expanding COVID-19 testing to Econ Soccer ComplexFor more information, click here. In the meantime, COVID-19 cases hit a new pandemic record on Christmas Day.

Some drivers waited more than two hours to get a COVID-19 test at Barnett Park Sunday. The demand is so high, Orange County is reopening another drive-up testing site Monday.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Barnett Park reached capacity early, nine days consecutively before Christmas. After being closed two days, hundreds of people waited in the dark early this morning, ready to get tested for COVID-19. With this increase in demand, it’s been tougher for people to find at-home test kits at pharmacies. “Honestly, I was expecting it because it was packed before Christmas, and I was like this is my last stop. Honestly this is the last resort, I’d come here at 3 a.m. if I had to,” Reid said.

ORLANDO, Fla. — The demand for COVID-19 testing remained high at Orange County’s Barnett Park on Thursday. My mom is a little sickly as well, so we just want to make sure we’re all safe,” Hardeman said. READ: Omicron projected to cause more COVID-19 infections, fewer hospitalizations, analysts sayWith the COVID-19 omicron variant a growing concern, Hardeman said her family didn’t want to take any chances getting together this year. “My grandmother, she’ll be 90 this year, want to make sure she’s safe,” Hardeman said. WATCH: Orange County expanding COVID-19 testing to Econ Soccer ComplexThe same study found a booster shot was associated with a 57% reduction in the risk of symptomatic omicron infection.

Orange County’s COVID-19 testing site at Barnett Park in Orlando reached capacity before 3 p.m. on Wednesday.

COVID-19 testing As we get closer and closer to Christmas, it's getting more difficult for people to find a COVID-19 test in Central Florida. (WFTV.com News Staff)ORLANDO, Fla. — As we get closer and closer to Christmas, it’s getting more difficult for people to find a COVID-19 test in Central Florida. Teresa Oviedo said she tried to get a COVID-19 test all day but came across only empty shelves. SEE: 9 things to know about the new omicron COVID-19 variantWithout another choice, Oviedo sat in line with hundreds of others to get tested at Barnett Park. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 11 Omicron COVID-19 variant On Nov. 26, the World Health Organization classified a new variant, B.1.1.529, as a “variant of concern” and named it omicron.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Central Floridians are lining up to get tested for COVID-19 before the holidays. Some people waited hours to be tested at Barnett Park as cases started to rise in Orange County. The Barnett Park site was slammed Monday, with people lining up to get their third vaccine or get tested for the virus. Channel 9 spoke to a woman who patiently waited three hours to get tested ahead of the holidays. The Barnett Park site opens at 9 a.m.READ: Demand for COVID-19 testing rises as Orange County positivity rate tops 5%It’s supposed to stay open until 5 p.m. but it could reach capacity and close early.

COVID-19 testing Demand for COVID-19 testing is on the rise in Orange County ahead of the Christmas holiday. (WFTV.com News Staff)ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Demand for COVID-19 testing is on the rise in Orange County ahead of the Christmas holiday. The demand comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data shows cases are on the rise across the state. In Orange County, 1,412 people tested positive, bringing the positivity rate just above 5%. Orange County officials said they’re keeping their options open for now and encouraging everyone to get vaccinated.

According to the Florida Department of Health’s weekly report released Friday, cases more than doubled from the week before -- reporting 29,568 new cases compared to 13,530 reported on Dec. 9.

Long lines were spotted at Orange County’s Barnett Park on Sunday after the COVID-19 testing and vaccination site already closed early for the last several days due to it reaching capacity.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Orange County is increasing parent access to the COVID-19 vaccine starting this weekend. Saturday morning, the county offered kids aged 5-11 their first doses at Barnett Park. READ: Orange County offering child COVID-19 vaccines this weekend: How to sign upJared Tesfamichael is only 11 years old, but he believes he has a good grasp on the pandemic. Confidence is a theme a lot of the kids had as they walked through the doors of the Barnett Park Administration building. “We have to be aware of how important it is to keep children safe, and vaccinations are one of the best solutions.”The Barnett Park vaccine site reopens Sunday at 9 a.m., and you do need an appointment.

Orange County’s largest testing, vaccination and booster site began providing COVID-19 vaccines for children on Saturday.

Orange County is now expanding its vaccination site at Barnett Park to include hours geared toward providing jabs for children in the newly approved 5 to 11-year-old age range.

Orange County is prepared to offer three COVID-19 booster shot options at the Barnett Park vaccination site, according to county officials.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Health officials in Orlando shut down a COVID-19 vaccination site Friday at Camping World Stadium and moved operations across town. The Orange County operations are now back at Barnett Park, near the Central Florida Fairgrounds. Officials said the fight against COVID-19 is moving in the right direction, as Orange County has managed to keep its rolling positivity rate below 10%. A COVID-19 site at Clarcona Elementary school will also close on Sunday. The Barnett Park site remains a place to get tested for COVID-19 as well.

Orange County is resuming COVID-19 vaccinations at Barnett Park after moving the service to Camping World Stadium due to high testing demand two months ago.

Orange County shared the latest updates on where people can get a COVID-19 test and a coronavirus vaccine.

The COVID testing site at Barnett Park hit capacity Tuesday afternoon, closing earlier than the scheduled hours of operation.

Many people Americans are hitting the road as Labor Day weekend settles in despite a surge in coronavirus cases due to the delta variant.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — More than 100 people have now received a shot at the new Camping World Stadium vaccination site. The site opened for the first time on Tuesday at 9 a.m.Alejandro Herdocia said he was unsure about getting the vaccine, but with the rise in cases, he felt it was time. On Monday, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said the vaccination site was being moved to Camping World Stadium from Barnett Park in order to shorten the line. “It helps to relieve backup at Barnett Park because we were doing testing and vaccinations there,” Demings said. Eddie came to Camping World to get his daughter a shot.

Camping World Stadium debuted its vaccination operations Tuesday.

Orange County leaders hold a dour news conference ahead of the first day of school for students in the county district.

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings announced that the county plans to halt vaccinations at Barnett Park and move the operation to Camping World Stadium. On...

The vaccination site at Barnett Park will soon be moving to Camping World Stadium in effort to free up traffic at the park, according to Orange County officials.

ORLANDO, Fla. — It’s going to be another hot day on Saturday. High temperatures will reach the low 90s with heat index values reaching 100-104. READ: Parents sue DeSantis, school districts over not enforcing face masksSaturday will start off dry, but there will be another round of sea breeze storms headed our way around sunset. READ: Barnett Park vaccination site moving to Camping World Stadium next weekWe could see another 1-3 inches of rain later Saturday eveningChief meteorologist Tom TerryClick here to download the WFTV weather app for live updates to your phone, and click here to stream weather coverage on the WFTV now app. ©2021 Cox Media Group

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A local vaccination site will have a new home beginning Monday. The Barnett Park vaccination site, 4801 W. Colonial Drive, is moving to Camping World Stadium downtown, 1 Citrus Bowl Place. READ: Orange County schools to require face masks for students unless parents provide note opting outOrange County Mayor Jerry Demings plans to make an official announcement about this move on Monday. The actual move won’t happen until then. READ: ‘I feel like I’m in an ICU’: An entire Orange County family is fighting COVID-19 together©2021 Cox Media Group

As the rising number of COVID-19 cases puts pressure on Orange County's hospitals, the county is also beginning to feel an economic pinch.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The Barnett Park testing and vaccination site has transformed from sleepy to anything but. 🦠 Orange County Government Health Services Department has extended free COVID-19 testing at Barnett Park through August 31, 2021! While the testing and vaccination tents are in different parking lots, almost everyone drives into the park through the main entrance. TODAY: Orange County is opening a second drive-thru COVID-19 testing site as demand for testing continues to grow. Unfortunately, there are no signs or staff members at the main entrance to the park directing cars to the other gate.

The new site will help ease some of the traffic at the Barnett Park testing site which has experienced long lines during the recent COVID-19 surge.

Somewhat overshadowed by anti-vaccination demonstrators trying to push their way into the coronavirus news briefing on Monday was Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings' announcement of...

The line stretched through the park for more than a mile out to West Colonial Drive near the Central Florida Fairgrounds. The previous peak in Florida had been 19,334 cases reported on Jan. 7. All workers at Universal's Florida park on Saturday started being required to wear masks while indoors as the employees returned to practicing social distancing. Health officials on Friday announced that coronavirus cases in Florida had jumped 50% over the past week with COVID-19 hospitalizations in the state nearing last year's peak. Crosstown rival Walt Disney World started requiring employees and guests older than 2 to wear masks on Friday, but it also went a step further.

The line stretched through the park for more than a mile out to West Colonial Drive near the Central Florida Fairgrounds. The previous peak in Florida had been 19,334 cases reported on Jan. 7. All workers at Universal's Florida park on Saturday started being required to wear masks while indoors as the employees returned to practicing social distancing. Health officials on Friday announced that coronavirus cases in Florida had jumped 50% over the past week with COVID-19 hospitalizations in the state nearing last year's peak. Crosstown rival Walt Disney World started requiring employees and guests older than 2 to wear masks on Friday, but it also went a step further.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — All day and all week, lines have wrapped around Barnett Park as residents waited to get tested. But on the other side of the park where the vaccine is being given, there’s virtually no wait, and never more than a handful of cars in line. READ: Here’s where & when face masks are required, recommended in Central FloridaShawana Glover said she has been vaccinated but still tested positive. The city of Orlando announced that, starting Monday, mobile vaccine sites will be returning to neighborhood centers and facilities. READ: Orange County mayor declares local state of emergency, urges all to wear masks indoors©2021 Cox Media Group

The line stretched through the park for more than a mile out to West Colonial Drive near the Central Florida Fairgrounds. In Brevard County, two hospitals began setting up treatment tents at its emergency departments. Florida hospitals reported more than 8,900 patients with COVID-19 on Thursday, according to data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Florida Hospital Association said the state peaked at 10,179 cases last July. Just 48 percent of the state’s population is fully vaccinated, and hospitals say the vast majority of the patients with COVID-19 are unvaccinated.

Monday proved to be another busy day at Barnett Park. The county-run COVID-19 testing site reached capacity around 3:30 p.m. closing early due to the high demand of people wanting to get tested.

It was another day of long lines at the COVID-19 testing site at Barnett Park Tuesday.

After yet another extension, the COVID-19 testing and vaccination site will remain open at Barnett Park at least through August 31.

Barnett Park reached capacity on Wednesday at 4:20 in the afternoon, forcing the site to close early, according to Orange County.

Drive-thru COVID-19 tests at Barnett Park previously scheduled to end in a couple days has been extended through the end of June.

Several recreational centers in Orange County are shutting down its vaccination operations Thursday.

County officials said sites will not reopen to offer second dose shots.

Here are some reasons why people have waited to get the shot.

Family and community members held a free football training camp at Barnett Park to honor the life of Dexter Rentz Jr.

As the Orange County Convention Center winds down its operations to close at the end of May, the vaccination site offered its last first doses Saturday.

Orange County opened a new vaccination location at Barnett Park, which has been previously used for COVID-19 testing.

Orange County is adding a vaccination lane to the Barnett Park testing site, according to Mayor Jerry Demings.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The rapid COVID-19 testing site at Barnett Park has gotten another extension that will allow it to remain open through the end of April. Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said Thursday that the site was supposed to close on March 31 but he realized the demand for testing is still strong. That is why we have decided to extend free coronavirus testing at Barnett Park. As you all know, it was due to end the end of March, but we have decided to extend that to April the 30th. The site is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offers both rapid and PCR virus tests.

click image Photo courtesy FEMA/FacebookTwo more FEMA COVID-19 vaccination sites will open in partnership with Orange County locally, beginning Thursday of this week.On March 11-13, a pop-up FEMA vaccine site is opening up at Barnett Park — which is also still doing COVID-19 testing through the end of March — andfrom March 14-17 another site will open at South Econ Park for those three days.These two pop-up sites are walk-up only, no appointments needed.As of this writing, the following groups are eligible for vaccination in Orange County: residents 65 years old and up (this will change to 60+ on March 15); long-term care facility residents and staff; health care professionals of any age with patient contact; law enforcement officers and first responders of any age; educators and staff of any age at K-12 schools, daycare facilities; those deemed "medically vulnerable" with the required paperwork in hand.More information on vaccination criteria in Orange County can be found on the Vaccine Information website.

ORLANDO, Fla. – FEMA’s mobile vaccination site will be setting up in Orlando’s Pine Hills neighborhood on Thursday. The walk-up site will be open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday at Barnett Park. Shots are available to all those eligible, including seniors, law enforcement over the age of 50 and K-12 educators. People hoping to get vaccinated can get their shots in the gymnasium. The mobile site will be moved to South Econ Park Gym on March 14.

The lines looked similar at the statewide testing site at the Orange County Convention Center Thursday afternoon. News 6 asked Mayor Demings if the decrease in the demand for testing could reduce the number of days the site is open. “That may be something we would do going into the future.”AdCounty officials said they will determine to keep Barnett Park open on a month-by-month basis. As for the potential reasons for the decrease in testing demand, Orange County Department of Health’s Dr. Raul Pino said there are multiple factors. “We have seen this before, when we went off the increase from last summer, we saw the decrease in demand.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – One of Orange County’s busiest coronavirus testing sites will continue to operate at least until the end of February, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said Monday. The future of the coronavirus testing site at Barnett Park was uncertain because county leaders had said there were no additional coronavirus relief funds to keep the site going beyond Jan. 30. [TRENDING: Florida debuts new vaccine hotline | Merritt Island-bound plane found in ocean | Titusville man accused of killing mother]“We are pleased to announce the Barnett Park testing site will remain open until the end of February,” Demings said. The site is operated by Orange County Health Services and provides testing from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. [WATCH: Barnett Park offers rapid coronavirus testing in Orange County]“We are still seeing thousands and thousands of people a day that want to come and get tested,” said Banks.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The future of coronavirus testing site at Barnett Park is uncertain. Orange County currently has funding to keep the testing operation up and running through Jan. 30. “The county currently has no additional funding sources.”Banks added that the county plans to make an announcement on continuing testing at Barnett Park within the next week. It is unclear how much of that money was received by Orange County. The Barnett Park testing site offers drive-thru testing seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

click to enlargeOrange County Health Services will continue to offer free drive-through COVID-19 testing at Barnett Park through Jan. 30, 2021, for all county residents 12 or older. The site entrance may close earlier than 5 p.m. in order to accommodate all cars in line. Rapid test results are emailed or texted within less than an hour, and PCR/molecular test results within about 48 hours.For more information on the Barnett Park test site and other testing sites in Orange County, OCFL has created an interactive map . 1 for Barnett Park. )The site will be closed for the New Year’s Day holiday Jan. 1, 2021.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Money to pay for COVID-19 testing at Orange County’s Barnett Park is running out and county leaders are hoping help from the federal government will allow them to keep offering this free service. Orange County Public Safety Director Danny Banks said the demand is so high the county started offering free rapid tests seven days a week last month. Banks said right now they have enough federal CARES Act funds to support the free testing site through December 30. We need those funds,” Banks said. “To really emphasize to them the value of those funds to local communities and our hope that we can get a resurgence of those funds to Orange County,” Banks said.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Two busy coronavirus testing sites in Orange County closed its line hours early Wednesday as cars lined up around the location to get tested for the virus ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. The testing site at Barnett Park operated by Orange County Health Services experienced an increased interest before the Thanksgiving holiday, officials said. Amanda Salisbury, of Winter Garden, was in line with her daughter before the testing site opened around 8:30 a.m. Wilson was also getting testing ahead of the holiday to be safe around his family. “That’s the main reason for the test going to see family.”The state run virus testing site at the Orange County Convention Center also stopped accepting new people in line early on Wednesday.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Orange County residents lined up early Monday morning outside Barnett Park for the first day of rapid testing. The county-run testing site is now offering the tests on weekdays with results ready in less than 30 minutes. Public Safety Director of Orange County Danny Banks explained the county made the move because the rapid tests are in high demand. [TRENDING: Eta drenches Florida | 2 killed in Orange County crash | Biden names COVID-19 task force]“We see that’s what our community wanted, they want access to this rapid testing, we also have the nasal PCR testing continuing here at this site,” Banks said. Rapid testing is available at Barnett Park at 4801 W. Colonial Drive Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.For more details visit ocfl.net/Testing.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health reported 6,257 new cases on Thursday, bringing the state’s overall total to 827,380 cases since March. Orange County Public Safety Director Danny Banks planned ahead in case that rise continues in Central Florida. The announcement comes just two weeks after the state-run testing site at the Orange County Convention Center began offering rapid tests. Beginning today @FLSERT #COVID19 Test Site @OCCCFree Rapid (antigen) test to anyone ages 5+, results in minutes via phone/text/email. “That told us something about the demand in the community.”It appears both sites obtained their rapid tests from the state, which just received more than 6.4 million rapid tests from the federal government in the past month.

click to enlarge Photo courtesy Orange County GovernmentOrange County Health Services will begin offering drive-thru rapid COVID-19 testing for free at Barnett Park, beginning next week.A rapid COVID-19 testing facility will be set up at Barnett starting Monday, Nov. 9 and running through the end of 2020, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. This service will be free to Orange County residents. Molecular (PCR) and antigen (rapid) tests will be on offer.“We decided to transition to offer both molecular/PCR and rapid/antigen testing due to the demand we have been hearing from Orange County residents for faster COVID-19 results,” said Public Safety Director Danny Banks in a press statement. Rapid tests usually give results within about 20 minutes. Again, the service is free with no co-pay (also note that insurance is not required), and you get a complimentary package of free masks and sanitizer.More information can be found on the Orange County Health Services site

Joe Burbank | Tribune News Service | Getty ImagesCellular, or "T-cell," immunity against Covid-19 is likely to be present within most adults six months after primary infection, a new study said. Research by the U.K. Coronavirus Immunology Consortium (UK-CIC), Public Health England and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust has found "robust T-cell responses" to the coronavirus six months after infection. Scientists have been investigating T-cell responses to the coronavirus to see how lasting any immune response might be in individuals who have caught, and recovered from, Covid-19. Serum samples were collected monthly to measure antibody levels, and blood samples were taken after six months to assess the cellular (T-cell) response to the virus. "T-cell responses were present in all individuals at six months after SARS-CoV-2 infection," it said, indicating "that a robust cellular memory against the virus persists for at least six months."

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. For the next two weeks, free COVID-19 testing will be offered at Barnett Park in Pine Hills thanks to Orange County Health Services. Testing will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 13 through July 17 then again July 20 through July 24. Any Orange County resident 18 years of age or older can get tested for free, regardless of whether they have symptoms, as long as they make an appointment first. Appointments are open for the first week of testing now while appointments for the week of July 20 will open later next week. To keep up with the latest news on the pandemic, subscribe to News 6s coronavirus newsletter and go to ClickOrlando.com/coronavirus.