Hospital officials try to make drive-thru coronavirus testing site more efficient

PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. – With lines sometimes being hours long at South Florida COVID-19 testing sites, the folks at Memorial Health Care are trying to make the process at CB Smith Park in Pembroke Pines a little more efficient.

Since the site opened on Friday, wait times have extended past two hours, but now people will have to call to get screened over the phone before they get an appointment time.

“We’ve now rolled out a new telephonic pre-registration process in order to make an appointment to come into the site. This will decrease wait times at the sight,” Dr. Jennifer Goldman said.

But you need to meet the criteria on the phone in order to get tested.

First responders like police, firefighters and medical staff, those who are 65 and older and those with a compromised immune system all must show virus symptoms like a fever, cough and shortness of breath.

Since the site opened Friday, a total of 2,004 people have been tested.

Those who wish to be tested for the coronavirus at CB Smith Park are asked to call 954-276-4680.

The phone line will open around 1 p.m. Monday.

On Tuesday, the line will have normal operating hours beginning at 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.


About the Author:

Sanela Sabovic joined Local 10 News in September 2012 as an assignment editor and associate producer. In August 2015, she became a full-time reporter and fill-in traffic reporter. Sanela holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications with a concentration in radio, television and film from DePaul University.