Have coronavirus symptoms? Hard Rock Stadium is expanding its testing criteria
Hard Rock Stadium is expanding its testing criteria Monday to include anyone with COVID-19 symptoms.
Starting at 9 a.m. Monday, the following people can be tested at the stadium, 347 Don Shula Dr. in Miami Gardens:
▪ Anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, regardless of age
▪ Anyone with an underlying health condition, regardless of COVID-19 symptoms
▪ Anyone who was in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, whether or not they are experiencing symptoms
▪ All first responders and healthcare workers, including long-term care facility staff members
The testing site opens daily at 9 a.m. and will continue to be drive-thru only, which means anyone who wants to be tested must arrive and stay in a vehicle with a working window. The testing site also transitioned last week to a throat swab COVID-19 test instead, which officials say is easier to do on most patients, including senior citizens and children.
Health officials say the symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
Previously, testing at the stadium was only for healthcare workers, first responders and residents 65 and older who had symptoms. The change comes after Florida announced it would be taking over the operations of the federal testing site.
The site does about 400 tests per day. On Monday, it reached capacity at 10:34 a.m. Those who were screened and approved for testing prior to the line closing will still be tested.
The state has more than 19,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19. As of Sunday night, the most confirmed cases and deaths are in Miami-Dade County with 7,058 known cases of the disease and 97 deaths.
This story was originally published April 13, 2020 at 7:37 AM.
