Fort Lauderdale officials opened a new COVID-19 testing site at Snyder Park to keep up with the high demand.
Officials said the new site, which opened Wednesday morning, will more than double the current testing capacity at city facilities.
"We encourage everybody who feels they may have it in even the slightest bit or may have been around others that have been exposed to the COVID 19 virus, that they come to either Snyder Park or Mills Pond Park and get tested," Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis said Tuesday.
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Snyder Park will be able to give up to 1,500 tests per day, both rapid antigen and PCR. Currently, the testing site at Fort Lauderdale's Mills Pond Park can accommodate up to 1,200 tests per day.
“While there may be different philosophies in the approach, I think everybody has the best interest of the community at heart," Trantalis said.
The city partnered with Allied Health to open this new testing site. Testing is free and happens Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with no appointment necessary.
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“If we can prevent the spread of the disease just by testing, it makes a whole lot of sense,” Fort Lauderdale Fire Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr said.
Wednesday morning, a line of cars wrapped around the park as residents sought tests for various reasons.
Frank Seguin had his daughter with him, sitting in the back seat with a fever.
“We’re being cautious, we’re not sure why she’s not feeling well," Seguin said.
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