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The first mobile-testing unit for coronavirus cases is planned to open in Pensacola on Monday.

Ascension Sacred Heart will open a drive -thru facility Monday so people who are suspected to have COVID-19 can get a nasal swab test, said Mike Burke, spokesperson for the hospital. Patients will first have to be pre-screened over the phone before being directed to the drive-through site.

Residents with symptoms of COVID-19 should contact their primary care physicians and ask to be screened over the phone, according to hospital officials. The screening will involve questions about symptoms, travel history and possible contact with other coronavirus patients.

Ascension Sacred Heart will also have a line for over-the-phone screenings beginning at 6 a.m. Monday at 850-746-2684. Those with symptoms should call for a pre-screening before visiting the drive-thru for testing. The hospital is not disclosing the location of the drive-thru to ensure pre-screening is done first.

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No patients directed to the drive-thru site will be turned away based on insurance, and there will be no upfront charge for testing.

Burke said the hospital has plenty of testing kits to conduct a mobile screening program but he didn't know the exact number. The results won't be instant and will still have to be sent to a state lab for processing, so results can take up to a week.

Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear two and 14 days after being exposed to the virus. They may include a fever, coughing and shortness of breath, according to Sacred Heart. People who are elderly or have chronic health conditions may be at greater risk for more severe symptoms or develop pneumonia or other lung problems.

The confirmation of the drive-thru facility comes just after the Florida Department of Public Heath announced 39 new cases of coronavirus in the state Sunday morning, increasing the total number of cases to 106.

The jump in cases is attributed to test kits finally being distributed across the state, and officials said the number of people diagnosed positive will continue to increase sharply.

The U.S. has more than 3,200 reported cases and 62 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has activated the state Emergency Operations Center to its highest level to help marshal resources and coordinate state agencies. Also, after a week of denying there was community spread – people testing positive for the virus but who had no history of international travel – DeSantis conceded that it is now evident to some degree.

Madison Arnold can be reached at marnold@pnj.com and 850-435-8522.