Fort Lauderdale Airport to open coronavirus testing site on December 9

DORAL, FL – As Florida reaches 1 million coronavirus cases, residents now have a new testing spot at Fort Lauderdale airport.

The Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport will set up its test site at the lower level of Terminal 3, which is the airport’s main terminal, near baggage claim.

Spirit Airlines and Nomi Health, a startup based in Utah, are the testing site partners that will provide both rapid testing for $69 and the PCR test for $99.

It should be noted that regardless of the connection of Spirit with the new testing site at Fort Lauderdale Airport, passengers of all airlines will be able to get tested.

People interested in accessing the testing site will have to make an appointment online and prove they already purchased tickets to fly out of FLL, Miami International Airport, or Palm Beach International Airport.

The testing area will open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Travelers are encouraged to remain using their face coverings at all times and to maintain social distance if they develop symptoms and while their results arrive. 

COVID-19 cases throughout the state are rapidly increasing with recent reports saying Florida already reached 1 million positive coronavirus cases.

These numbers have only been reached by California and Texas although according to several media outlets, this state has more cases based on population than either of them. 

WINK reported earlier this week that Florida ranks 23rd in the nation per 100,000 people, which has also increased hospitalization capacity meaning there isn’t enough beds or staff available.

Miami-Dade Mayor, Daniella Levine Cava, said this week in a virtual news conference that the health system within the county is having an enormous impact with the coronavirus new surge. 

“We’re gravely concerned about overwhelming our healthcare system capacity to care for COVID patients. Our hospital network in South Florida is one of the finest in the country and has done extremely well at dealing with this pandemic. But if we push our system to the limit, when COVID cases spread too quickly, we will be at a breaking point,” said Cava.

She also addressed the importance of watching for each other and to keep following CDC guidelines regardless of how close the coronavirus vaccine is to arrive. 

If you need to get tested, please review the following link that contains a list of walk-in and drive-thru testing sites across the state.