PASCO COUNTY, Fla. -- ​One of the nation's major commercial labs reported an increase in COVID-19 test turnaround times and appealed to the public for help in slowing the virus' spread. 

Quest Diagnostics said Tuesday the wait for COVID-19 molecular diagnostic testing results increased from two days to slightly more than that. Priority patients are now getting their results in two days, compared to the previous wait of 24-48 hours. 

"While the increase is modest, assuming national trends continue, we expect COVID-19 cases and corresponding orders for testing to increase for the foreseeable future, which may cause turnaround times to grow," read a news release from Quest. 

Hillsborough County Spokesperson Michelle Van Dyke said testing sites at the Suncoast Community Health Center in Brandon and the Lee Davis Community Resource Center in Tampa aren't seeing an unusual increase in turnaround times. She said there has been an increase in demand at the state-run site at Raymond James Stadium since it began offering rapid testing on Oct. 27. Van Dyke told us those tests offer same day results.

Florida Division of Emergency Management Press Secretary Samantha Bequer said via e-mail that the division expects to receive six million rapid tests from the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services by the end of the year. A first allocation of 60,000 rapid tests was set aside to be sent to state-supported testing sites. 

"These rapid tests are another tool in Florida's COVID-19 response to ensure that Floridians have every resource they need to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 in their communities," Bequer said in the e-mail.

A spokesperson for BayCare also said turnaround times at its sites haven't increased.

Quest cautioned turnaround times may increase even further, as it expects COVID-19 cases and testing orders to rise in the future.(Courtesy Quest Diagnostics)

Another nationwide lab, LabCorp, said it is seeing a rise in demand for COVID-19 testing, but its time to result is currently 24-48 hours. 

"As the holiday season approaches, we are closely watching the trend, and we encourage everyone to wear masks, wash hands, socially distance, and follow local guidelines for group gatherings and keeping safe," a LabCorp spokesperson said in a statement.

Quest is making the same request.

"We are committed to doing everything in our power to meet the challenge -- and empower better health. However, we can't do it alone With the United States now in a new and highly dangerous phase of the pandemic, it is important that everyone adhere to the latest CDC guidance," Quest's news release read. 

A spokesperson said the lab is increasing physical capacity, expanding its lab referral program, working with suppliers, and focusing on priority patients in its effort to maintain turnaround times.