Florida Opening Coronavirus Testing Facility At Hard Rock Stadium Monday
TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami) -- A federally supported coronavirus testing facility is expected to open Monday in the parking lot of Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, according to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
During a news conference Saturday afternoon in Tallahassee, DeSantis said more mobile testing sites are coming online including the one at Hard Rock Stadium. Another will open at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando on Wednesday and a third at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville opened on Saturday.
These testing sites are being set up in conjunction with FEMA and the National Guard.
"The goal would be able to cast as broad a net with this as possible," the governor said. "It really helps inform how we're best able to prevent more damage from the virus."
The Hard Rock Stadium location will begin testing Sunday ONLY for first responders including police and corrections officers, firefighters and medical staff from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Monday, the facility will open to the general public. It it located in the east parking lot.
Testing will be available from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. on a daily basis, however, those seeking a test must meet certain criteria.
- Must be 65 years of age or older and be symptomatic. (Must bring ID)
- First responders and health care workers do not have be symptomatic. (Must bring ID)
- If you do not meet the criteria, you will be asked to exit the lot.
- The test site is drive-through only.
- Test results will take 48-72 hours.
RELATED: LOCATIONS OF DRIVE THROUGH TESTING FACILITIES IN SOUTH FLORIDA
More than 720 people in Florida have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Saturday as he resisted an official's call to issue a statewide "stay-at-home" order.
The bulk of the coronavirus cases have been in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. There have been 12 12 deaths statewide, he said, including a third death at a Broward County nursing home.
DeSantis also said there are currently more than 18,000 hospital beds available statewide, including nearly 1,700 adult intensive care unit beds.
Most people only experience minor flu-like symptoms from the coronavirus and recover within a few weeks, but the virus is highly contagious and can be spread by those who appear well. It can cause severe illness, including pneumonia, in some patients, particularly the elderly and those with underlying health problems.
To stem the tide of infections, DeSantis has banned all onsite dining at restaurants statewide and the Seminole Tribe has closed its casinos. DeSantis on Friday also banned all non-emergency medical and dental procedures. Restaurants were allowed to sell food for take-out and delivery.
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