MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. (WSVN) - As Florida records over 500,000 COVID-19 cases, rapid testing sites are now open in South Florida to both expedite results and help stop the spread.
The line for rapid testing at Hard Rock Stadium, located at 347 Don Shula Dr. in Miami Gardens, was formed hours before the site was set to open Wednesday morning.
On the first day, the site offered self-swab antigen tests that promise results in just 15 minutes. Nearly 500 people took advantage of the new tests.
The site was shut down just last week, as the state braced for the arrival of Hurricane Isaias.
Rapid antigen testing at the site was offered to people ages 18 through 64 who were showing symptoms, those 65 and older regardless of symptoms and all children ages 5 through 17.
The new test is also available at Marlins Park.
Despite passing the half-million mark, officials said there are some signs that the surge is slowing. Florida has recorded less than 7,500 coronavirus infections for the fourth day in a row, which is a vast improvement from this time last month.
“It appears that we have leveled off on the coronavirus infections here in Miami-Dade County,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez.
The coronavirus case totals in the last few days have been some of the lowest South Florida has seen in weeks.
Gimenez said he is not interested in those numbers, however, but points to the rate of people testing positive as a sign of progress.
“Where we do look is, of the people being tested, what is the positivity rate?” he said, “so we were hovering above 20% for a long time, and I think now the 14-day average is something like 17%.”
The half a million milestone in coronavirus cases also comes as the legal fight over reopening schools heats up.
Florida Education Association, the state’s largest teacher’s union, is asking the judge to block the state from forcing school districts to reopen in the fall for in-person instruction, while the state wants the whole case dismissed.
“We’re not here asking, Your Honor, whether a particular class in English or art is conducted appropriately. The element of human safety is indeed something that judges are able to deal with,” FEA attorney Kendall Coffey said.
After a short virtual hearing Wednesday, lawyers from both sides of the cases are set to appear before the judge on Thursday to figure out where the case will be decided.
“These are unique circumstances, let’s be flexible,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said.
Both parties said they plan to appeal if the case doesn’t go their way, and some worry if it takes too long, it’ll be too late.
Meanwhile, Miami-Dade and Broward County plan to start the school year online.
“We will work to make the e-learning environment personal, we’re going to work to make sure that it’s engaging,” Broward Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie said.
The Florida Department of Education approved the Broward County Public School plan to reopen.
Runcie is set to testify in front of the congressional subcommittee on school reopenings virtually Thursday afternoon.
The testing site at Hard Rock Stadium is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For those who wish to get tested but do not meet the specific criteria for antigen testing, the sites are still doing traditional testing.
To register for the rapid antigen tests, click here.
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