MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. (WSVN) - Across South Florida, COVID-19 testing sites are dealing with another day of long lines as people rush to get tested ahead of the Christmas holiday.
Early Wednesday morning, a long line of vehicles could be seen waiting for the Hard Rock Stadium testing site to open.
Meanwhile, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order that would give Floridians 65 and older priority to all COVID-19 vaccines.
“The bottom line is the state of Florida is prioritizing our COVID-19 vaccines for our seniors,” he said. “For the general population, once the nurses, the doctors and the long-term care facilities are done, is to vaccinate people 65 and up.”
For now, DeSantis appears to be sidestepping CDC recommendations to include some essential workers like teachers in the next rollout of vaccinations.
The United Teachers of Dade released a statement, saying in part, “We are disappointed in Governor DeSantis’ decision to not include school personnel, particularly our veteran educators, as part of this second round of vaccines as recommended by the CDC… If the intent is to keep schools open so that students can benefit from in-person learning in a safe environment, then the governor should have listened to the CDC recommendation and made us a priority.”
“Once a hospital completes the mission with vaccinating all frontline workers, they can immediately turn their attention to individuals 65 years and older,” DeSantis said. “We’re setting priorities, we’re going where the risk is greatest.”
Mount Sinai Hospital said they will start vaccinating Miami Beach residents over 75 starting Thursday. Then after that, residents over 65 will be next in line.
“We’re gonna open it up to Mount Sinai patients who are 75 years or greater,” said Mount Sinai COO Angel Pallin.
Patients must already be in Mount Sinai’s networks, and they will be required to schedule appointments.
“For all of us who have been at the frontlines for so many months trying to really turn the corner, this is that corner for us,” Pallin said.
The hospital will also be vaccinating residents at some senior homes in Miami Beach.
“We’re still working out the kinks, but our focus and our effort here is to vaccinate as many people as quickly as possible,” Pallin said.
Jackson Health released photos of their healthcare employees giving the first vaccines to residents of a long-term care facility, calling it an important first step.
DeSantis said people may start to receive the vaccine as early as Monday, but adds the real rollout of this phase is still weeks away.
“Don’t rush to your local hospital or county health department. Right now, you’re gonna have the opportunity to sign in very short order,” he said.
In Broward County, firefighters pulled up to Central Broward Regional Park to receive their first dose of the vaccine as more than 11,000 new COVID-19 cases were reported statewide by FDOH Wednesday, with an additional 120 deaths. More than a quarter of cases came from Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe counties.
With most testing sites closed on Christmas Day, South Floridians are rushing to get tested to try and get their results at the last minute.
At Tropical Park, more than 5,000 people got tested Tuesday, the most ever for any testing site in Miami-Dade County.
Some sites, including Tropical County, will have limited hours on Christmas Eve before reopening on Saturday.
“The drive-up site at the Miami Beach Convention Center will be open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Christmas Eve,” said Division of Emergency Management spokesperson Mike Jachles.
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