NOW OPEN: COVID-19 Drive-thru Community Based Testing Site at C.B. Smith Park in Pembroke Pines

Drive-through testing site

Under the direction of Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida National Guard (FLNG) soldiers and airmen, with the collaboration of Memorial Healthcare System, state, county and local agencies, have opened a COVID-19 drive-thru Community Based Testing Site.

Location: C.B. Smith Park, 900 N Flamingo Rd, Pembroke Pines, FL 33028 (only the main gate is available for entrance into the park).

Hours of Operation: 9 am – 5 pm, Monday – Sunday (starting Friday, March 20)

Important information before you go for testing

  • Must bring ID
  • The test site is drive-thru only. You must be in a vehicle no pedestrians, no bikes or bicycles.
  • The test site is for sample collection only no treatment is offer at this location.
  • Have enough fuel for expected delay of up to 2 hours.
  • You must be symptomatic (fever, cough, and shortness of breath).
  • You must meet the criteria for testing (see below).
  • Test result are estimated to take 3 – 4 days.
  • We encourage you to get assessed by a health professional before coming for testing.
  • We are offering our telehealth service MemorialDocNow at no cost until March 31.

Who Can Get Tested (Screening): The test will be provided only to those who are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 and meet the following criteria: 

  • First responders 
    •  First Responders who are symptomatic: policemen, firemen, medical staff and essential staff that support the management agencies working toward keeping the citizens of Florida safe and informed. (Must bring ID)
  • People aged 65 or older, with COVID-19 symptoms and chronic conditions (Must bring ID)
  • Individuals who meet the testing criteria: symptomatic, have travelled international cruise or air or from an affected geographic area,or immune compromised with symptoms (Must bring ID)
  • If the person does not meet the criteria, they will be directed to the exit

Park Logistics

  • People who meet the criteria and need to be tested should enter the park via the intersection of Flamingo Road and Johnson Street, and they will be routed through the park to the screening station.
  • The test site is drive-thru only not equipped to assist pedestrians, bikers and will not be allowed to enter. You must be in a vehicle. It’s recommended that you have enough fuel for expected delay of up to 2 hours.
  • Nurses, wearing personal protective equipment, will screen through prospective patients.
  • If the person meets the above criteria, the nurse will provide a placard in the windshield for the patient to continue to the testing tents.

At the Testing Station

  • Once the patient arrives to the testing area, a medic wearing a Tyvek suit will collect a sample with the swab of the nostril.
  • Another service member will be responsible for scribing the information from the patient’s placard to the bio-hazard bag, and another will be responsible for collecting the sample and placing it in the bag.

Results

  • After the sample is in the bio-hazard bag, it will be refrigerated until it is shipped to a vendor for examination.
  • Within three to four days, Memorial Healthcare System will notify patients of the results.
  • The Florida Department of Health will follow up with instructions to patients with positive results.

Patients who are not ill should not come to the hospital. Please use MemorialDocNow or primary care physicians instead to assess symptoms.

For more information, read the CDC and Florida Department of Health sites.

Author: Amanda Jones
Author: Amanda Jones

Amanda Jones specializes in social media marketing. She holds a Master's degree in Social Media Management from the University of Florida and a Social Media Professional Certificate from the University of Miami.

Newsletter

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news directly in your email inbox.