FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Starting today, a new coronavirus testing site at Holiday Park in Fort Lauderdale is testing adults with and without COVID-19 symptoms. It’s part of the push to increase testing with an eye toward South Florida being able to join the rest of the state in Phase 1 of reopening.
The site at 1150 G. Harold Martin Drive will be open Tuesday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Testing is free, but an appointment must be made ahead of time by calling 1-800-209-7919 from 9 a.m-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. No doctor’s note is required.
Organizers warn that there has been high call volume at that number, causing some people to get busy signals. They’re ramping up the call center and ask that people have patience and continue trying to call the number.
There’s a capacity of 400 tests per day at this location and they don’t expect long lines since appointments are necessary and will be spaced out 5-10 minutes apart.
It’s available to anyone 18 or older. Photo ID is required and people are reminded to come wearing a face covering.
Testing has expanded to asymptomatic people at several sites across South Florida, which is crucial for understanding the presence of COVID-19 in our communities, since the virus can be carried by people not showing symptoms.
This test site has being arranged by the City of Fort Lauderdale in partnership with the Florida Division of Emergency Management, Florida Department of Health, and American Medical Response.
Deputy chief Jeffrey Lucas of Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue said the state assisted in approving the new site, considering there’s another testing location just outside city limits at the Urban League of Broward County.
“I’d just like to thank the governor. It took a lot of strings in Tallahassee to be pulled to get this testing center approved,” Lucas said. “The National Guard, the swabs are all from the state. The city of Fort Lauderdale is providing AMR to do the testing.”