Contact: Joint Information Center on COVID-19 for the State of Florida (850) 815-4940, ESF14@em.myflorida.com

State of Florida Prioritizes Symptomatic, Vulnerable and Pediatric Populations at State-Supported COVID-19 Testing Sites 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) announced that state-supported drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites will prioritize testing for symptomatic individuals, individuals 65 and older and children under the age of 18 starting Wednesday, August 5. This adjustment is consistent with CDC guidance that was issued on July 17, which no longer recommends a test-based strategy to determine when an asymptomtic individual is no longer infectious. While asymptomatic lanes will still be available, testing sites are working to expedite results and make testing more accessible to populations that need it most.

Two state-supported drive-thru testing sites in Miami-Dade County, Hard Rock Stadium and Marlins Park, will begin offering rapid COVID-19 testing to symptomatic individuals and those over the age of 65. Results from these tests will be available within 15 minutes through rapid testing machines on site.

All other state-supported drive-thru COVID-19 testing site will expand lanes for symptomatic individuals, and individuals 65 and older. The priority lanes will offer self-swab tests, under the supervision of health care personnel, with results available within 72 hours.

In addition to expanding priority lanes at all state-supported testing sites, all state-supported drive-thru testing sites will begin offering COVID-19 antibody testing to assist with asymptomatic testing. Antibody testing will also be available at four walk-up COVID-19 testing sites: West Perrine Health Center in Miami-Dade County, Miramar Youth Enrichment Center in Broward County, Lincoln Park in Manatee County and FAMU Bragg Memorial Stadium in Leon County.

This testing initiative will provide expedited results for symptomatic and vulnerable populations, enable faster data reporting, make contact tracing more effective, and enable a greater understanding of the transmission of the virus in the general population.

This testing initiative is in accordance with Governor DeSantis’ initiative, One Goal One Florida, which emphasizes the following simple, yet effective steps to mitigate and slow the spread of COVID-19:

• Protecting the vulnerable, including the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions;
• Practicing proper hygiene, including washing your hands;
• Practicing social distancing, avoiding closed spaces and crowded places; and
• Wearing a mask, if you are in close contact with others.

A list of all state-supported testing sites can be found at https://floridadisaster.org/covid19/testing-sites/.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLDEM/bulletins/298a7a1.

More Information on COVID-19

To find the most up-to-date information and guidance on COVID-19, please visit the Department of Health’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage. For information and advisories from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), please visit the CDC COVID-19 website, this website is also available in Spanish and Creole. For more information about current travel advisories issued by the U.S. Department of State, please visit the travel advisory website.

For any other questions related to COVID-19 in Florida, please contact the Department’s dedicated COVID-19 Call Center by calling 1-866-779-6121. The Call Center is available 24 hours per day. Inquiries may also be emailed to COVID-19@flhealth.gov.

About the Florida Department of Health

The Florida Department of Health, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.