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Public health officials are hoping that more people at risk for contracting HIV infection will stop burying their heads in the sand.

At the very least, they need to come to grips with reality Wednesday, which is National HIV Testing Day.

The awareness day, now in its 13th year nationwide and third year in Collier County, aims to persuade people to take advantage of easy access HIV testing to know their status and enter treatment programs early if necessary for better outcomes.

The Collier County Health Department and several private nonprofit groups are offering free and fast testing to anyone in the community. The health department alone hopes to test 100 people, said Scott Tims, HIV/AIDS program manager for the department.

“We are not a high-incidence county,” he said, but pointed out that HIV infection rates are higher among minorities in the community.

For instance, the HIV infection rate in Collier among blacks is 1 in every 55 black residents, but among whites, the infection rate is 1 in every 1,140 whites. Among Hispanics, the infection rate is 1 in every 366.

At the same time, many people have the mistaken belief they are tested when they go for routine physical exams and that’s not the case, he said.

“A lot of people believe that,” he said.

The health department will offer the rapid test so recipients can receive same-day results.

Here are the times and locations for testing throughout the week:

Tuesday: Marion E. Fether Clinic in Immokalee, 1454 Madison Ave., from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Collier County Health Department, 3301 U.S. 41 E., Building H., East Naples, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wednesday: Marion E. Fether Clinic in Immokalee, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Collier health department, 3301 U.S. 41 E., Building H., East Naples, from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Planned Parenthood of Collier County, 1425 Creech Road, North Naples, from noon to 4 p.m.; Collier County Health Department, 419 First St., Immokalee, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Unity Faith Missionary Baptist Church, 1620 39th St. S.W., Golden Gate, from 5 to 8:30 p.m.

Thursday and Friday: Marion E. Fether Clinic in Immokalee, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; the county health department, 3301 U.S. 41 E., Building H., East Naples, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.