TAMPA, Fla. -- The COVID-19 community collection testing site at Raymond James Stadium re-opened Wednesday morning after the Hillsborough County Emergency Management secured 1,500 additional testing collection kits from the State of Florida.
They were originally only open through April 3, but Hillsborough County Emergency Management has secured 1,000 additional testing collection kits from the State of Florida and will be extending the operations of the COVID-19 community testing site at Raymond James Stadium, located at 4201 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., through Wednesday, April 8, with the site closed during the weekend while supplies last. Hours of operation are from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
The testing site is in the parking lot south of the stadium bordered by Tom McEwen Blvd. on the north, Dale Mabry to the west, and Himes Avenue to the east. Vehicles should enter from Dale Mabry or Himes.
You will see signs on where to go in from the road. The site is staffed by health care professionals in medical protective gear trained to test for COVID-19.
Drive-thru testing will be administered by appointment only to symptomatic patients that have pre-registered through Hillsborough County's call center.
RELATED: Hillsborough County coronavirus hotline pre-screens, pre-registers residents for testing
Pre-Screening and Pre-Registration Are Required:
• Residents may get tested if they have been pre-screened and meet testing guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and the Florida Department of Health.
• Residents also must be pre-registered through the Hillsborough County Customer Service Center at (813) 272-5900. The call center will be staffed with healthcare workers this week on Tuesday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• People who do not have a designated primary care physician or are uninsured are eligible for pre-screening and pre-registration through the call center.
Keep in mind, the only people allowed in the vehicle going into the screening site are those needing a test.
Hillsborough County said test kit supplies are low, and demand for screenings is very high across the nation. Those who don't show up to their designated appointment time will lose their opportunity to be tested without exception, according to county officials.
People who miss appointments or fail to show up will be required to re-register through the call center. Missed appointments could mean other symptomatic people may not be able to get an appointment, officials said.
What to Bring:
• You must arrive in a personal vehicle. Due to the increased risk of contamination as well as current shortages of personal protective equipment, walk-ups are not permitted at this time.
• Each person to be tested must be seated next to a working window.
• Limit vehicle passengers to those needing a test.
• Have a photo ID for all persons being tested with name, date of birth, and photo (can be Florida driver's license, state-issued ID, or passport).
• Bring a printed copy of the testing confirmation email from the Hillsborough County Customer Service Center. Having this form with you will expedite the process, according to county officials. If you are unable to print your confirmation number, you can use a screenshot on your phone.
You will be required to provide:
1. Full name
2. Current address (where you are staying)
3. Best phone number to reach you in order to receive test results
What to Expect During a COVID-19 Screening:
• You will be greeted by a health care provider in personal protective gear who will give you instructions.
• You will be given a tissue to blow your nose. You will need to keep the tissue to dispose of on your own.
• A soft swab will be inserted deep into your nose to get the necessary sample. This may be slightly uncomfortable, but the test is quick and should take less than a minute.
Hillsborough County said the test results are not immediate. It may take several days. After the test, officials said you would be given information on what to do while you await the results, and you will receive test results via the telephone number you provided at the time of pre-screening.
