MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Multiple mobile hospitals and drive-through coronavirus testing sites have been set up in parking lots across South Florida in an effort to test those showing symptoms of COVID-19 without potentially spreading the virus to others.
Most sites are by appointment only.
Community Health of South Florida Inc. is running a drive-through testing site from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Monday-Friday, at the Doris Ison Health Center at 10300 S.W. 216 St. in south Miami-Dade.
Cleveland Clinic Florida has opened a drive-through testing site at its Krupa Center at 3250 Meridian Parkway in Weston. Testing will occur Monday-Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. To book an appointment, call 954-659-5951. Callers will be screened by a nurse who will determine whether they meet testing criteria.
Broward Health has set up a mobile testing unit in Pompano Beach. Call 954-320-5730 to make an appointment.
The Florida National Guard is preparing to open a drive-through testing site at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday that the Florida National Guard’s drive-through testing sites in South Florida are almost ready to be operational, and the sites will have lines reserved for first responders.
Supplies to build a mobile hospital in Broward County arrived at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport on Wednesday.
The site will be one of three set up in Florida in order to expand testing for coronavirus.
Active duty military members are expected to help build the facility, which will have around 250 beds, and then run it once it's operational.
The idea is to relieve some of the overflow being felt at traditional hospitals where doctors, nurses and emergency rooms are being inundated by possible COVID-19 patients.
The airport grounds is one of three mobile hospitals scheduled for the entire state, and more could be authorized down the road.
Another mobile hospital is set to be built at CB Smith Park in Pembroke Pines, and the National Guard will carry out swab field testing at the same location.
A screening area is set up at the Park n’ Ride along Pines Boulevard where potential coronavirus patients will be questioned to see if they meet the criteria for testing. The medical task force is working toward a five-lane site staffed by around 100 people.
The testing site is at one of the busiest roadways in Broward County -- Flamingo and Pines Boulevard.
Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to drop in sometime Thursday to check out the operation.