WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Health District of Palm Beach County is expanding its criteria next week to make it easier for people to get tested for the coronavirus.
In a news release, the district announced people who are not experiencing coronavirus symptoms can schedule an appointment to get tested at the drive-thru site located at the FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.
There were 720 patients sccheduled to get tested Saturday at the ballpark, an increase of about 200 from the daily average.
The changes at the ballpark comes as Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Saturday that he is also expanding requirements at three federal sites across Florida in Miami Gardens, Orlando and Jacksonville.
"We think that having folks who have had close repeated contact with someone who has tested positive, even if they've not developed any major symptoms, that giving them the opportunity to get tested makes sense," DeSantis said.
To schedule an appointment for testing, call the COVID-19 hotline at 561-642-1000. The call center will be open Monday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to schedule appointments for Tuesday.
"I think it's better to have as broad base testing as possible because it gives you the baseline to be able to see how these things are going," DeSantis said.