Photo By Staff Sgt. Leia Tascarini | Florida National Guard Soldiers support the new MBCC hybrid CBTS as it opens to first...... read more read more
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MIAMI BEACH, Fla.- Florida National Guard (FLNG) supports first COVID-19 hybrid Community Based Testing Site (CBTS) at Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC).
The new Miami Beach hybrid CBTS site is located next to the MBCC alternate care facility (ACF), and both sites are supported by the Florida Guard. The ACF houses hospital beds and medical equipment in the event that overflow hospital space is required. Local officials, in partnership with the state, decided to use the MBCC outdoor space for a walk-up and a drive through test site.
“Its been amazing working with the Guard in creating the alternate care facility and now with the hybrid site,” said Jimmy Morales City of Miami Beach manager. “The professionalism of the Guard has been incredible, the ability execute has been outstanding.”
This area (around the MBCC) is the heart of the city and making good use of the facilities to support the local community is important, said Morales. The hybrid CBTS location accommodates anyone over the age of 18 and there is no requirement to have an appointment to get tested. Morales said they’re trying to accommodate everyone regardless of their situation.
This site is unique because it is the first one in the state to accommodate those who may not have access to a car or prefer to walk, those who would prefer to remain in their vehicles and use the drive through site and it houses an alternate care facility. The Florida National Guard’s 50th Regional Support Group is actively engaged in supporting four other CBTS locations in Miami-Dade County, however, the other locations are either drive through or walk-ups, but not both.
“This site is a hybrid site with three separate missions; the walk-up and drive through test sites as well as the alternate care facility,” said Cpt. Pedro Perez, 260th Military Intelligence Battalion. “This site belongs to the residents of Miami Beach and Miami-Dade County; our job is to make sure that everyone who comes through the site is able to get tested.”
The Florida National Guard has more than 2,700 Guardsmen on duty in support of Florida’s COVID-19 response. Soldiers and Airmen are currently operating nine Community Based Testing Sites locations, and have administered over 113,000 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.
| Date Taken: | 05.07.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 05.08.2020 08:07 |
| Story ID: | 369436 |
| Location: | MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 112 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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