~This pilot program will reduce wait time and expedite test results to symptomatic individuals~
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) announced that four state-supported drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites will begin offering separate, observed self-swab lanes to symptomatic individuals to reduce wait time at testing sites and to expedite their test results, beginning Friday, July 17.
This pilot program will begin at the following state-supported testing sites:
- War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale (Broward County)
- Regency Square Mall (Duval County)
- Orange County Convention Center (Orange County)
- Hard Rock Stadium (Miami-Dade County)
While appointments are not necessary to be tested, individuals going to the Orange County Convention Center and the Regency Square Mall sites can make an appointment at DoINeedACOVID19Test.com for their convenience. Appointments are not available at this time for self-swab testing at the Hard Rock Stadium or the War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale.
At the sites, symptomatic individuals will be directed to a separate lane for testing and will be provided an observed, self-swab test under the supervision of a health care professional.
Observed self-swab tests will be offered to those 5 and older with symptoms of COVID-19. Results from the self-swab test will be sent to a separate lab and will be available within 72 hours via e-mail. The Orange County Convention Center and the Hard Rock Stadium sites will be able to conduct up to 500 self-swabbing tests per day, the War Memorial Auditorium site will be able to conduct up to 1,000 self-swabbing tests per day and the Regency Square Mall site will be able to conduct up to 2,200 self-swabbing tests per day.
If the pilot program is successful, FDEM will expand this program to more state-run testing sites.
The state currently supports 50 COVID-testing sites across the state, with the capacity to conduct up to 29,000 tests per day. The state continues to expand testing capacity, in addition to supporting county-run testing efforts, to ensure all Floridians are able to receive a COVID-19 test. To date, state-supported testing sites has conducted more than 750,000 tests. A list of state-supported testing sites can be found here.
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