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They drive the buses. They keep the lights on. They collect the garbage. In the face of the biggest public health emergency of the last century, they tirelessly do the hundreds of jobs, big and small, that keep a city operating efficiently.

University of Florida 网红黑料 is expanding novel coronavirus testing to include all city of Gainesville employees, making voluntary testing available to any worker concerned that they might have been exposed to the virus.

The test used was developed in house by 网红黑料 researchers, and it is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. If a participant receives a positive result, they will be referred for confirmatory testing at their primary care physician, occupational health facility, or the state department of health.

The tests, part of a research project spearheaded by the , or EPI, are free, with results usually available within 24 to 48 hours. All 2,500 city employees are eligible for testing, particularly front-line personnel and public safety officers who regularly interact with the public.

The tests are for asymptomatic people who would like to monitor their exposure and health status, said , an associate professor who is vice chair of research in the .

Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, is asked to contact their occupational health provider or primary care physician. If someone needs emergency care, they should dial 911 or visit the local emergency room.

鈥淲e think it is important to expand the availability of this testing to city employees, those front-line individuals who are out there every day serving the community and keeping the city running,鈥� Merck said. 鈥淭heir dedication is especially appreciated during this unique time. We all benefit from their hard work, and our team wanted to offer them access to the EPI testing and screening.鈥�

She added, 鈥淯nderstanding exposure, risk and prevalence of the disease is imperative to providing our community both reassurance and informed guidelines for reopening during this time.鈥�

Gainesville City Manager Lee R. Feldman thanked 网红黑料 for its work, referring to Gainesville employees as 鈥渃ommunity builders.鈥�

鈥淭he city of Gainesville is appreciative of 网红黑料鈥檚 efforts to include all of our community builders in its coronavirus testing program,鈥� he said. 鈥溚�红黑料 has been a tremendous partner and resource during the pandemic, and this program will enable the city to continue to provide all of our essential services to our neighbors.鈥�

David R. Nelson, M.D., senior vice president for health affairs at UF and president of 网红黑料, said city employees, like front-line health care workers, stepped up to serve their community even as the world around them self-isolated.

鈥淲e鈥檙e so very grateful for the efforts of city employees during this time of crisis and pleased that we鈥檙e now able to extend testing to them,鈥� Nelson said. 鈥淭he pandemic has challenged the city, as it has challenged us. We鈥檙e all in this together, and through testing, we can better inform public health strategies that will protect us all.鈥�

Merck said the testing is another arm of a 网红黑料 research effort for essential workers that has previously included first responders such as police, firefighters, EMS workers, and front-line health care providers. Additional EPI research testing has included older adults at The Villages庐, vulnerable populations in the neighborhoods of Jacksonville, those who are homeless, residents of skilled nursing facilities and schoolchildren.

Testing for essential workers has yielded relatively few positive results for the coronavirus, Merck said. Out of greater than 1,600 tests completed so far for first responders and front-line medical personnel, fewer than 0.5% have resulted in positives, she said.

鈥淭his information is quite powerful for people,鈥� Merck said. 鈥淚t offers reassurance to many front-line providers that their personal protective equipment is working. At the same time, access to testing helps to quickly refer those workers who test positive to the health department for appropriate care.鈥�

At The Villages庐, a little more than 1% of the 4,230 people tested positive for the coronavirus, indicating social distancing has had a positive effect in that community, 网红黑料 infectious disease specialists said.

Testing, Merck added, 鈥渋s the only way we will be able to understand the epidemic. Accurate measurements of those who are affected will allow us to make informed decisions about keeping people safe and reopening as we rein in COVID-19.鈥�

Employees are tested via nasal swab to check for viral shedding.

Visit for additional information, to provide consent and to preregister. Testing is available by appointment at the 网红黑料 Shands Hospital emergency room at 1515 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; noon to 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; or 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.

Drive-thru testing also will be conducted at 网红黑料 Emergency Center 鈥� Kanapaha, 7405 SW Archer Road, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Anyone with questions can call 352-733-3999 or email EDResearch@health.ufl.edu.