MIAMI – The Florida National Guard (FLNG) supports two new COVID-19 walk-up community-based testing sites (CBTS) at Sherbondy Park in Opa-locka and Shirley Branca Park in Miramar.
To better address the need for COVID-19 testing in some communities across Miami-Dade and Broward counties, the Florida Guard’s 50th Regional Support Group is working with the state’s Department of Health (DOH) to provide logistical support at these new CBTS locations.
“It’s a good thing we are opening these sites to assist the community,” said Florida National Guard Staff Sgt. Courtlandt Savageau, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the walk-up site from the 160th Transportation Company. “It’s important to make the process as easy as possible for citizens so they can get tested with little interruption to their daily lives.”
Walk-up test sites accommodate those who may not have access to a car or those who prefer to walk. The Florida National Guard is supporting 11 CBTS drive-thru and walk-up locations in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
“Working with the National Guard has been a pleasure,” said Miramar Mayor Wayne Messam. “The collaboration has been very positive, not only with the National Guard but also with first responders.”
The Florida National Guard has more than 2,100 members on duty in support of Florida’s COVID-19 response, part of a nationwide National Guard force of almost 46,000 helping combat the coronavirus.
Florida Soldiers and Airmen are operating 28 CBTS locations and have administered over 192,000 sample collections to date at those sites. In addition, the Guard is supporting the Florida Department of Health’s screening operations at seven Florida airports.