FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Florida National Guard (FLNG) is supporting Fort Lauderdale’s new drive-through COVID-19 testing site at Holiday Park.
Guard members from the 2-124th Regiment, 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) are providing logistical support to the city and other local partners at the new community-based testing site (CBTS). The 2-124 is also supporting the CBTS drive-through at C.B. Smith Park, as well as two walk-up CBTS locations in Broward County.
“We are here to do whatever (local authorities) need us to do and we are happy to do it,” said 1st Lt. Mason J. Lewis, the 2-124th Regiment’s officer in charge at the CBTS. “It’s important what we are doing and it’s humbling to be a part of this mission assisting the citizens of Florida.”
The new testing site will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. by appointment only and will only accept people in vehicles who need to get tested. The CBTS will not be able to support those on bikes, pedestrians or animals at this time.
“This is important for the city of Fort Lauderdale and its citizens to combat the virus,” said Chris Lagerbloom, Fort Lauderdale’s city manager. “The Guard has been amazing and mobilized faster than we ever thought. We are thankful for the Guard and first responders.”
The Florida National Guard has more than 2,900 members on duty in support of Florida’s COVID-19 response. Soldiers and Airmen are operating 14 CBTS and have administered over 85,000 sample collections. The Guard is also supporting the Florida Department of Health’s screening operations at seven Florida airports.
Nationwide, more than 45,000 Air and Army National Guard professionals began their day April 30 supporting COVID-19 response at the direction of their governors.