Manatee County COVID-19 Test Site, Now at Bradenton Area Convention Center
COVID-19 testing site relocates from Lincoln Park to Bradenton Area Convention Center today, Oct. 30
Test site will offer rapid & (nasal swab) tests
MANATEE COUNTY, FL (Oct. 30, 2020) – Florida Division of Emergency Management relocated the COVID-19 test center in Palmetto from Lincoln Park to the Bradenton Area Convention Center today.
The site will operate daily from 7-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-4 p.m. (or until they reach the max. of 500 test kits/day).
No appointment and no prescription are necessary. The tests are free to the public and available to all ages.
To date, nearly 123,000 COVID-19 tests have been completed in Manatee County, or about 30 percent of the total population. For the past seven days, Manatee County's positive test rate was 4.7 percent.
For more information on Manatee County Government, visit www.mymanatee.org or call (941) 748-4501. You can also follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/manatee.county.fl and on Twitter @ManateeGov.
Also... in Sarasota County ... here are the 2 sites, where you can get a COVID-19 Test...
In Sarasota County
Walk Up Testing Site
Robert L. Taylor Community Center
1845 34th St. - Sarasota, FL 34234
- Hours of Operation: 7 days a week
- 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Testing Criteria: All ages, regardless of symptoms
Drive-Thru Testing Site
Cattleman Road Testing Site
100 Cattleman Road, Sarasota, FL 34232
- Days of operation: Mon. - Sun.
- Hours: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Testing Criteria: All ages, regardless of symptoms
The Abbott BinaxNOW rapid test, which provides results within 15 minutes, was among the changes announced by the Florida Department of Emergency Management to county emergency managers on Monday, October 19th, 2020
This Abbott BinaxNOW rapid test is an antigen test that detects specific proteins on the surface of the virus. While the rapid test produces results in 15 minutes, it is less sensitive in detecting the virus. This testing kit consists of nasal swab, dipped into a provided reagent, and an index card-sized testing card with a testing strip.
Since they began the state testing sites, the primary test being offered at the state-run testing sites has been a molecular test known as PCR, or polymerase chain reaction, which detect the virus’ genetic material. The PCR tests must be processed in a laboratory and results can take days.
Additionally, anyone who does test negative with the "rapid test"... but "is showing symptoms" of COVID-19 will then be given a PCR test to be sent out, according to the Florida Department of Emergency Management.
A PCR test will also be made available to anyone who requests it..
Among the other changes to testing include officials at state-run testing sites asking individuals who receive a PCR test for their health insurance card. Regardless of whether someone has or provides their insurance information, tests will still be provided for free.
In addition to moving to the rapid test, All state-run testing sites will also now provide testing for all ages. Previously, not all testing sites had tested children or some did have a minimum age requirement. That is NO longer the case, anyone can get tested regardless of age.
Questions about the State-Run COVID - testing sites, click link below for more information