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Should You Get Tested For Coronavirus? Here's What To Know About South Florida Testing Sites

Community Health of South Florida, Inc. begins drive through testing for coronavirus at its Doris Ison Health Center, 10300 SW 216 Street on Wednesday, March 18, 2020.
AL DIAZ
/
MIAMI HERALD
Community Health of South Florida, Inc. begins drive through testing for coronavirus at its Doris Ison Health Center, 10300 SW 216 Street on Wednesday, March 18, 2020.

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Coronavirus test sites are popping up throughout South Florida as the number of cases continues to climb. As of Saturday, April 18, the state has confirmed more than 25,000 cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. More than half of those cases are in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties. 

Potential patients must make an appointment over the phone before showing up, except for two walk-in testing sites in Broward. Unless otherwise noted, testing is limited only to people who meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, which are as follows: 

  • Older patients and individuals who have severe underlying medical conditions or are immunocompromised and are experiencing fever, cough or respiratory distress. 
  • Anyone with symptoms such as fever, cough, and/or difficulty breathing, and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or have recently traveled from an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19.


Anyone with severe symptoms such as persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to arouse, or bluish lips or face should seek emergency care immediately, according to the CDC.

Here's a list of testing centers in South Florida:

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

Hard Rock Stadium, 347 Don Shula Drive, Miami Gardens, 33056

Hours of operation: Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Testing is for residents of any county who are 65 or older. 

Marlins Park, 501 Marlins Way, Miami, FL 33125

The test site is open for Miami-Dade residents over the age of 18, who have symptoms. Testing is done by appointment only, with about 300 spots available per day. Call 305-499-8767 to make an appointment.

Amelia Earhart Park, 401 E. 65 Street, Hialeah, FL 33013

Opens on Thursday, April 2. Testing is available to residents of Northwest Miami-Dade County who are 65 or older, and who are showing symptoms. Testing is by appointement only. Call 305-268-4319 to book an appointment.

Doris Ison Health Center, 10300 SW 216th St, Miami, FL 33190

Hours of operation: Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. 

This is the largest health center of the non-profit Community Health of South Florida. 

Charles Hadley Park, 1350 NW 50th St., Miami

9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily starting Tuesday, March 31. Testing is for residents of the city of Miami 45 and older by appointment only. Call 305-960-5050 to request an appointment.

South Dade Government Center, 10710 SW 211 St., Cutler Bay

Drive-through testing opens Sunday, April 5. Appointment required; call  305-499-8767. That’s also the number to call for a drive-through appointment at Marlins Park.

At-home testing

The city of Miami is offering at-home testing for city residents who are 45 and older, predominantly for people who are in wheelchairs, or who otherwise are homebound. Call 305-960-5050 to make an appointment.

BROWARD COUNTY

Gov. Ron Desantis announced on Friday, April 17, two walk-in sites: at the Urban League in Fort Lauderdale and at Mitchell Moore Park in Pompano Beach. Testing at those locations is available to anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19. No doctor's referal is required. DeSantis said the sites will start at 200 tests per day.

Urban League of Broward County, 560 Nw 27th Ave., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311

Walk-ins only. No drive-through testing available at this site.

Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

People experiencing symptoms can walk up or call 954-412-7300 for an appointment. No doctor's referal is required.

Mitchell Moore Park, 901 NW 10th St., Pompano Beach, FL, 33060.

Walk-ins only. No drive-through testing available at this site.

Hours: daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. except Thursdays.

People experiencing symptoms can walk up or call 954-412-7300 for an appointment. No doctor's referal is required.

Cleveland Clinic Weston’s Krupa Center, 3250 Meridian Parkway, Weston, FL 33331

Hours of operation: Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Those who are looking to schedule a test should call the Cleveland Clinic Florida appointment center at 954-659-5951.

Festival Marketplace, 2900 W Sample Rd, Pompano Beach, FL 33073

Broward Health's first drive-thru testing site closed temporarily but is reopening Monday, April 20,  behind the Festival Marketplace in Pompano Beach. Those who are interested in a test must have a prescription for testing from a physician and make an appointment by calling the the Broward Health line at 954-320-5730 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. 

CB Smith Park’s park-and-ride lot, 900 N Flamingo Rd, Pembroke Pines, FL 33028 

Hours of operation: Daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Memorial Healthcare System will operate the drive-thru-only testing site in partnership with the National Guard and the Department of Health. For more details click here.

People will be able to complete the crucial criteria screening and provide demographic information ahead of time, which is required in order to get tested at the park.

Call 954-276-4680 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily.

WHO SHOULD CALL TO REGISTER: Anyone meeting the following criteria:

  • First responders: (essential personnel) police, fire-rescue and health care workers who are symptomatic or asymptomatic. 
  • South Florida residents 18 or older who are symptomatic.

WHEN YOU CALL:

  • Everyone who calls to register – and meets the criteria for testing – will be provided a confirmation number, and a pre-packet will be waiting at the park for them. 
  • If multiple individuals are coming in one car, each individual must be pre-registered. 
  • Must bring identification. 
  • Every person who wants to be tested at this site must be pre-registered. The pre-registration process will optimize capacity and make the entire process as efficient as possible.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE SITE:

  • People must have their ID ready to show upon arrival. The registrant’s name will be verified with the pre-packet.
  • Once registrant is verified, the Florida National Guard will provide additional direction.
  • There is no medical treatment available at the site. It’s strictly for test collection.

OBTAINING TEST RESULTS:

  • Memorial Healthcare System clinical teams will notify all registrants of positive and negative results by phone. 
  • Registrants who provided an e-mail address during registration will receive links to register to Memorial My Chart or to Quest Laboratory to received results electronically.


The C.B. Smith Park testing operation is a multiagency effort and includes support from: Broward County Parks and Recreation, Broward Emergency Management, Broward Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Division of Emergency Management, Florida Department of Health, Florida Highway Patrol, Florida National Guard, Memorial Healthcare System, Pembroke Pines Police Department, Pembroke Pines Fire Rescue and Quest Diagnostics.

PALM BEACH COUNTY

South County Civic Center, 16700 Jog Road, Delray Beach

Cleveland Clinic and Palm Beach County are opening a drive-through testing site at the South County Civic Center. Testing is by appointment only.

To go through screening, call 561-804-0250 starting at 10 a.m. Monday, April 6.

FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, 5444 Haverhill Rd., West Palm Beach, FL 33407

Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

All ages, with or without COVID-19 symptoms.

Drive-through testing by appointment only. Call 561-642-1000.  Primary Care Clinic at Lakeside Medical Clinic, 39200 Hooker Hwy., Belle Glade, FL 33430.All ages, with or without COVID-19 symptoms. Walk-ins only.  No appointment necessary. Call 561-712-6400 for more information.

FoundCare, Inc., 2330 S Congress Ave, West Palm Beach, FL, 33406

FoundCare is  no longer accepting new appointments, after it became overwhelmed due to a supply shortage in just one day. The non-profit has testing appointments scheduled through the end of April, according to the Miami Herald. 

MONROE COUNTY

Marathon - 200 City Marina, Marathon, FL 33050

Hours: Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Testing in Marathon will be only for Monroe County residents who meet the criteria for testing.  

Call 305-252-4820 to schedule an appointment.  

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Leslie Ovalle produces the morning newscasts that air during Morning Edition. As a multimedia producer, she also works on visual and digital storytelling. Her interests include immigration, technology and the environment.