BayCare reduces COVID-19 test collection to one site per county

Effective Monday, March 23, 2020, BayCare Health System is consolidating its drive-thru COVID-19 test collection sites to high volume locations and to provide geographic access.

The changes reduce from seven to four the number of test collection sites BayCare is operating across West Central Florida. The centers hours will also shift to 9 a.m. to 12 noon.

Criteria for testing will remain the same as BayCare concentrates on using its limited test supplies to identify patients who have the virus. Patients should be referred by a physician and should have current symptoms – cough, fever, shortness of breath – and meet other criteria recommend by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

After five days of testing across Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, and Polk counties, the seven BayCare sites had screened more than 6,100 people and collected specimens for testing from nearly 3,500. 

Results from the tests are not expected until five to seven days after the specimen was collected. Patients will be called with their results. Positive results will be reported to the Florida Department of Health as required by state law.

Below are the addresses for the testing sites that will operate Monday from 9 am. to 12 noon. Patients should bring documentation from a physician that they have been referred for testing. Testing locations: 

• BayCare Urgent Care (Tampa) – 3440 W. Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd., Suite 100, Tampa, FL 33607

• BayCare Urgent Care (Carillon) – 900 Carillon Parkway, Suite106, St. Petersburg, FL 33716

• BayCare Urgent Care (New Port Richey) – 4821 U.S. Highway 19, New Port Richey, FL 34652

• BayCare Urgent Care (Haines City) – 36245 U.S. Highway 27, Haines City, FL 33844

Besides the impacted BayCare Urgent Care centers used as testing sites, BayCare is closing several BayCare Laboratory Patient Service Centers to create the resources to staff the testing sites.

To find which BayCare Urgent Care centers and laboratories remain open to serve patients with non-COVID-19-related illnesses and injuries, visit baycare.org/coronavirus/closures. 

By the Numbers as of 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 22, 2020

Total cases in Florida: 1007

CASE DATA FOR PINELLAS
Total Cases: 38
Residents: 36
Residents Not in Florida: 0
Non-Residents: 2

Demographics of Cases
Age Range: 21 to 75
Average Age: 52
Men: 23
Women: 15

Conditions and Care
Deaths: 0
Hospitalizations: 7

CASE DATA FOR HILLSBOROUGH
Total Cases: 58
Residents: 54
Residents Not in Florida: 0
Non-Residents: 4

Demographics of Cases
Age Range: 17 to 74
Average Age: 38
Men: 30
Women: 27

Conditions and Care
Deaths: 0
Hospitalizations: 6

Case Designations
Travel-Related: 24
Not Travel-Related: 21
Travel Unknown: 13