Rapid COVID-19 Tests Are Available in Miami-Dade County

Three testing sites in Miami-Dade County will offer retests to those who previously tested positive for COVID-19. 

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced on Wednesday that two new contracts have been signed with laboratories to test for COVID-19. This will raise the capacity by 18,000 samples per day. To give the public a faster response, rapid tests that provide results in one or two days will be used, according to the official statement.

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Also as of Thursday free retesting appointments will begin to be scheduled for people who previously tested positive for the novel coronavirus and want to be tested again to confirm if they are cured. These retests can be scheduled at three drive-thru testing sites in Miami-Dade county: Marlins Park, the Youth Fair site at Tamiami Park, and the South Dade Government Center. Prior to this, retesting for COVID-19 was not permitted at the free drive-thru sites. 

In his statement the governor also announced that more than 10 new walk-up sites will be opening up in Miami-Dade, Hillsborough, Duval, Leon, and Orange counties in the weeks to come. 

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At the same, despite the growing numbers of reported illness and fatalities that continue to be reported across the state — as of Thursday Florida has a total of 28,576 cases of the novel coronavirus and the number of deaths near is now 927 across the state- Gov Ron DeSantis continues to move ahead with his plan to reopen the state for business. 

On Friday the Trump ally is expecting a list of recommendations from his Reopen Florida Task Force in order to determine how he will proceed with his plan.