Newly Opened Hillsborough COVID-19 Testing Sites See Long Lines

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — If health officials needed proof of the need for more coronavirus testing sites, they got it Saturday.

Two new COVID-19 testing sites opened by the Department of Health in Hillsborough County Saturday administered more than 2,000 coronavirus tests.

The county had only anticipated giving about 500 tests at each testing location. Instead, health department employees were confronted with long lines of people anxious to be tested as the delta variant of the virus sweeps through Florida.

The county closed all of its testing sites in June when vaccinations became readily available. However, Florida is experiencing a surge in coronavirus cases.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the bulk of the residents testing positive for the coronavirus are unvaccinated. To date, 44.3 percent of all Hillsborough County residents have been fully vaccinated.

However, the CDC said the delta variant has the ability to infect vaccinated residents as well.

The CDC said all 67 Florida counties are currently experiencing high transmission rates.

The county plans to keep the two walk-in sites open for the time being seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are located at Palm River Park Community Center, 725 S. 58th St., Tampa, and the Code Enforcement Complex, 1101 E. 139th Ave., Tampa.

No appointments are necessary. The DOH is asking residents to wear face masks, bring bottled water and be prepared to wait.

The county is administering the rapid tests but PCR tests will be available upon request.

The rapid test, or antigen test, detects protein fragments specific to the coronavirus. Turnaround time for results is within 15 minutes. Rapid tests are considered most accurate in a patient who is having symptoms of COVID-19.

PCR testing is considered the “gold standard” in detection. This test actually detects RNA (or genetic material) that is specific to the virus and can detect the virus within days of infection, even in those who have no symptoms. Turnaround time is longer, generally in the two- to three-day range.

There is no charge to be tested, however, health insurance information will be collected although people who have no health insurance can still be tested. Those being tested should also bring a photo ID.

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