Storm closes test sites for weekend

All state-run coronavirus testing sites across Florida are closing ahead of what’s expected to become Tropical Storm Isaias.

In a statement issued Wednesday evening, the Florida Division of Emergency Management said the testing sites will close beginning 5 p.m. Thursday. The sites will start reopening Tuesday, with all sites being reopened by Wednesday, the state said.

“Testing sites are closing out of an abundance of caution to keep individuals operating and attending the sites safe. All sites have free standing structures including tents and other equipment, which cannot withstand tropical storm force winds, and could cause damage to people and property if not secured,” the emergency department’s statement said.

“Prior to sites closing, symptomatic individuals are encouraged to receive a self-swab test at state-supported drive-thru sites,” the emergency department said in a tweet. “These individuals will be prioritized & receive results within 72 hours.”

Sites will reopen on a rolling basis once it is safe to do so, according to the emergency department’s statement. The department’s Facebook and Twitter accounts will provide information on when sites will reopen.

At least four testing sites run locally by Broward County’s health department are shutting down Friday, said Candy Sims, a spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Health in Broward County.

They are Lincoln Park in Fort Lauderdale, Mitchell Moore Park in Pompano Beach, Mullins Park in Coral Springs and Vista View Park in Davie. These four sites will reopen Tuesday, Sims said.

Other testing sites in Broward can be found through the county’s collection sites page.

C.B. Smith Park, a testing site run by Memorial Healthcare System,

announced Wednesday afternoon it will close its drivethrough testing site beginning Friday.

State officials will reopen the site and continue testing Wednesday after assessing any damage caused by the storm, said Kerting Baldwin, Memorial Healthcare System’s Administrative Director of Corporate Communications.

Baldwin said state officials from the Department of Emergency Management made the decision to close and break down the park testing site after the last test is completed on Thursday.

Baldwin said people who had appointments scheduled throughout the weekend and early next week will have their tests rescheduled Wednesday or Thursday or once the site reopens. The site processes about 1,200 tests a day on average.

Mayor Dale Holness said Wednesday afternoon that the county will have 34 shelters open in the event the storm, or any storm during hurricane that hits South Florida.

Memorial Healthcare System issued a statement Wednesday encouraging people with appointments affected by the closure to reschedule by calling 954-276-4680.

In Palm Beach County, testing at all Health Care District of Palm Beach County sites will stop Friday and Saturday, according to a statement from the county.

Palm Beach’s closed sites include FITTEAM Ballpark of The Palm Beaches; the Delray Beach, Lantana, West Palm Beach, Jupiter and Belle Glade clinics and the mobile clinic, Scout. In addition, the South County Civic Center in west Delray Beach and Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton testing sites will be closed Friday.

To check if appointment scheduling can resume, the county is urging those needing tests to call the Health Care District’s Testing Hotline on Monday at 561-642-1000. season