Miami Beach partners with private clinic to offer in-home COVID-19 tests for seniors

Home-bound seniors in Miami Beach who show COVID-19 symptoms can now request in-home testing through a private clinic that has partnered with the city to make coronavirus tests available to residents ages 65 and up.

MedRite Urgent Care, which operates the only drive-thru COVID-19 testing center in Miami Beach, is expected to begin senior testing on Monday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to an email City Manager Jimmy Morales sent Wednesday to the mayor’s office.

“I am really pleased that the city has put this program forward,” said Commissioner Mark Samuelian. “Our seniors are a vital part of our community.”

The clinic plans to conduct 10 tests a day for an indefinite period of time. The Miami Beach Fire Department will provide a vehicle and staff to accompany a nurse to conduct testing at homes, Deputy Chief Juan Ramón Mestas said in an email to the city administration.

Testing will be free to those without insurance. The clinic does not require insured patients to share in the cost. The total number of tests available has not been announced.

To be tested, patients must pre-register at www.MedRiteUrgentCare.com/COVID and receive an appointment. Those with questions can call 305-735-3909 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The city of Miami announced in-home testing for seniors late last month.

MedRite began testing at the 4621 Collins Ave. municipal lot on April 2. More than 1,000 people have been tested as of Wednesday, a clinic spokeswoman said.

After the Miami Herald reported that MedRite was planning to charge up to $125 per test for the uninsured, the clinic reversed course and said it would offer free testing.

Miami Beach is also the location of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ newest coronavirus field hospital, to be constructed at the Miami Beach Convention Center. The 450-bed hospital can begin receiving COVID-19 patients on April 21.

This story was originally published April 9, 2020 at 12:20 PM.

Martin Vassolo

Miami Herald

305-376-2071

Martin Vassolo writes about local government and community news in Miami Beach, Surfside and beyond. He was part of the team that covered the Champlain Towers South building collapse, work that was recognized with a staff Pulitzer Prize for breaking news. He began working for the Herald in 2018 after attending the University of Florida.