COVID Testing Site At Bradenton Area Convention Center To Close

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — With the number of new COVID-19 cases significantly declining across Florida and in Manatee County, the walk-up testing site at the Bradenton Area Convention Center in Palmetto will close permanently Friday at 7 p.m., according to a county news release.

From Feb. 18-24, only 25,640 new coronavirus cases and a 5.6 percent new case positivity rate were reported in Florida, according to the Florida Department of Health’s weekly COVID-19 report. During this time, just 464 cases and a 7.1 new case positivity rate were reported in Manatee County.

The site, which currently offers PCR testing, has been offering testing for the past six months. It will remain open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Friday.

The downtown Bradenton COVID-19 testing site in the parking lot at 1301 8th Ave. W. will continue to operate daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Select pharmacies and other health care facilities in Manatee County also offer testing including:

• America's Pharmacy
• CVS
• Ellenton Urgent Care
• MCR Health
• Quest Diagnostics
• Walgreens

Manatee County also encourages residents to request at-home testing kits through the U.S. Postal Service program. Up to four tests per household can be requested online here and mailed directly to people’s homes at no costs.

Statewide testing resources can be found online here.