ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A new COVID-19 testing location opened Wednesday in St. Petersburg. It's promising to boost access to testing while also providing some weekend hours lacking at other locations.
What You Need To Know
- COVID-19 testing site opening Wednesday outside Mahaffey Theater in St. Pete
- Drive-thru testing, no appointment needed
- Open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday
- CORONAVIRUS LIVE UPDATES: In the Tampa Bay area
The site opened at 11 a.m. outside the Mahaffey Theater. It's a drive-thru site, where up to four people in each car can be tested for free.
The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County says it can test around 1,200 people a day, and supplies are expected to last through 7 p.m. each day.
“We can still gauge what will be needed. 1,200 was figured to be a good number to start with, and from there we can go up or down,” spokesman Tom Iovino said.
The new site is a joint operation between state and local government agencies.
“This is a massive site,” Pinellas County Commissioner Charlie Justice said. “More testing. More staff available. We want people to take advantage of it. It’s very important. Hopefully the supply will meet the demand.”
You do not need to make an appointment to be tested, and you do not need to be showing any symptoms. You do not need to have insurance.
The testing site will require your name and contact information to follow-up on test results.
The Mahaffey Theater is located at 400 1st Street SE in downtown St. Petersburg.
The testing site will be open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
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