Looking to get a COVID test ahead of the holidays? Here’s where you can go
Cars met end to end, lined up outside Miami-Dade College North Campus as residents waited to get COVID tested Friday. This is now a common sight across South Florida. Long lines and longer waits.
With the holidays fast approaching — and COVID-19 cases on the rise — people are rushing to get tested.
In Miami-Dade, there are county-run sites, and in Broward there are some Florida Department of Health sites that reopened in August. There are also pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, urgent care centers and doctors’ offices that offer tests.
But many of the testing sites throughout Miami-Dade that had opened at the beginning of pandemic — including the popular Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens — are no longer open.
On Thursday, Miami-Dade Mayor Danielle Levine Cava said the county was bracing for the uptick in cases. She announced an emergency order requiring hospitals to report daily COVID patient counts once again.
The county relaxed reporting rules when cases began to dip last month. The average percent positive rate for tests coming back is 7%, compared to 1% a month ago.
With the micron variant already in Miami-Dade, health officials say its only a matter of time for omicron to spread.
Where to get a COVID-19 test in Miami-Dade
▪ Miami-Dade county offers a site that allows you to select a location based on where you live or where you will be.
The locator can be found at www.miamidade.gov/global/initiatives/coronavirus/testing-locations.page.
The easy-to-use locator allows you to plug in your ZIP code, and allows you to filter for factors including what type of tests it offers and whether it’s a drive-through or walk-up site.
When your options pop up, you will be able to see the test site’s hours, whether you need an appointments and if there is a minimum age (important if you want to test children).
Some of the sites that offer a PCR test or rapid test include Tropical Park, Amelia Earhart Park, Dolphin Mall, Aventura Mall and Homestead Air Reserve Park.
▪ If a pharmacy is more convenient, select Walgreens and CVS stores are offering tests. For testing locations, visit walgreens.com and cvs.com.
▪ Another option for people traveling for the holidays is getting a test at Miami International Airport, where there are two walk-up testing sites for passengers, employees and visitors. Anyone taking a test could see results in 15 minutes for Antigen and Rapid PCR tests and 40 minutes for PCR tests. One of the two sites is open 24 hours. For costs and to schedule an appointment, visit Nomi Health.
▪ Testing is also done at UHealthJackson Urgent Care. Walk-ins are accepted at its urgent care centers in Miami, Cutler Bay, Doral, North Miami and Miami Gardens. To find locations, see wait times and learn more, visit jacksonurgentcare.com/lab-testing/covid-19-testing.
Where to get a COVID test in Broward
Broward has a list of Florida Department of Health sites through the county.
Walk-up sites include: South Regional Health Center, 4105 Pembroke Rd., Hollywood and Boulevard Heights Community Center, 6770 Garfield St., Hollywood.
Drive-through sites include: C.B. Smith Park, 900 N. Flamingo Rd.; Pembroke Pines; Markham Park, 16001 W. State Rd. 84, Sunrise; and Mills Pond Park, 2201 NW Ninth Ave., Fort Lauderdale.
The list can be found at https://www.broward.org/CoronaVirus/Pages/Collection-Sites.aspx.
▪ COVID-19 testing is also available at select Walgreens and CVS stores. For testing locations, visit walgreens.com and cvs.com.
▪ For those who cannot leave home, an in-home test is available by calling 954-412-7300 to make an appointment.
▪ Travelers — who have a valid airline ticket, boarding pass or confirmed paid flight itinerary — can get tested at a walk-up site at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
But the test isn’t free. Expect to pay $106 for a PCR test or $74 for a rapid (antigen) test. People with appointments are given priority at the site. To book a slot, visit FLL’s website.
This story was originally published December 17, 2021 at 12:10 PM.
