Santa Claus gets tested for COVID-19 at new St. Pete testing center.

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — About 1,000 people per day are being tested for the coronavirus at one of St. Petersburg's newest COVID-19 testing centers, the Center for Health Equity. Santa Claus is among those who have been tested.

Ross Tarr, 80, of St. Pete, who walks with a cane and is a professional Santa, put on his red suit and hat for a charity event in July and took dozens of photos with kids and adults. Shortly afterward, he found out the photographer and some others at the gathering tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.

"There were a couple of days that I didn't feel good, so I went to the diagnostic center on 34th Street South at the beginning of August," Tarr told Patch. "It was my first time getting tested for COVID."

He parked his car into Health Equity's almost empty parking lot, 2333 34th St. S., the first morning it had opened its doors. As he slowly walked with his cane to the entrance feeling thankful a line filled with people waiting wasn't out the door, he noticed a school bus from a boys' prep school in Clearwater pull up.

"Before I knew it, the boys had beaten me to the inside, and even more people had showed up," Tarr said with a laugh. "The line was suddenly out the door, about three-quarters of a block line. I said to myself, 'I'm just going to go to the door and ask the people how long this would take,' and one of the ladies working recognized me from storytelling events. It turns out they do have an established pattern for old farts like me with white hair."

She took him ahead of the line through the efficient walkways to a table where he was told to register. "I told them I pre-registered online. I suggest anyone who is going to go to pre-register to save time. They checked the computer and saw my information. Before I knew it, they were giving me the test where they put the Q-tips up your nostrils, and I was out of there."

When he walked back to his car, he noticed the line of people he first saw had moved quickly.

"I'd say they must have been spending about two minutes with each person," he said.

Employees told Patch they do put people who live with physical challenges at the front of the line instead of having them wait. Health Equity gives two types of testing — COVID-19 Rapid Tests and PCR tests — according to staff.

Tarr got the rapid test, and his negative results were texted to him an hour later. He also got the Pfizer vaccine in March.

A reporter observed Wednesday afternoon that Health Equity has a well-organized flow for everyone getting tested. Masks are required to be worn inside. Security is also at the site.

CDR Maguire is managing the tests at Health Equity. People should remember to bring their identification card. Tests are given seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Center for Health Equity. Tests are free. People who have questions can call CDR Maguire at 850-583-2419.