FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) - Florida Gov. Rick Scott says pregnant women statewide can get a free Zika test to determine whether they've been infected with the mosquito-borne virus.
Scott directed state health officials Wednesday to make the tests available at county health departments and also said the state would provide additional lab services to handle the expected increase to ensure test results are processed quickly.
On Thursday, the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County released the locations where pregnant women can get tested for Zika at no cost. Women can go to the following locations on a walk-in basis from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Thursday:
- Clearwater Health Department: 310 N. Myrtle Ave, Clearwater 33755, (727)469-5800
- Mid-County Health Department: 8751 Ulmerton Rd, Largo 33771, (727) 507-4330
- St. Petersburg Health Department: 205 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N, St. Petersburg 33701, (727) 824-6900
Health officials last Friday announced that mosquitoes have apparently started spreading Zika on the U.S. mainland, with a total now of 15 cases they strongly believe were caused by bites. In an unprecedented warning, federal health officials directed pregnant women to avoid a Zika-stricken part of Miami.
Wednesday's announcement comes as some doctors have complained they were being forced to ration test kits and turn away pregnant women who were requesting them.
MORE: Zika info from Florida DOH
SEE ALSO: Current Zika guidance from the CDC
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