Prescriptions No longer Needed for This Week’s Drive-Through Collection at Convention Center

In an effort to have more Manatee County residents tested for COVID-19, patients may now call to make an appointment for this week’s drive-through collection without a doctor’s prescription. Patients who call to get an appointment will be screened for signs and symptoms and then scheduled for a specimen collection at the drive-through.

Appointments are required for the three-day collection period tomorrow through Friday. Patients may call to make a drive-through appointment by calling (941) 748-0747. There is no cost for patients who use the DOH drive-through collection site. 

The collection dates at the Bradenton Area Convention Center will be held Wed., April 29 – Friday, May 1 and the site will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. 

Manatee County residents who need to be tested for COVID-19 also have the option of visiting one of five MCR Health locations in Manatee County.

Specimens collected at the drive-through site will be sent to labs for testing. During the three-day event 240 specimen collection kits will be used, and the Department of Health will schedule up to 80 appointments on each of the three days.

Visitors to the collection site are asked to make an appointment in advance with Manatee County Health Department by calling (941) 748-0747.

In addition, everyone who arrives at the drive-thru must:

• Be in a vehicle. No walk-up patients will be seen.
• Drivers must remain in their vehicle at all times.
• Drivers must present a photo ID (Name on ID or proof of address and the name on the prescription must match.)

Anyone in Manatee County who believes they may have COVID-19 should call the Manatee Health Line at (941) 242-6649 BEFORE calling 911 or visiting a hospital emergency room.

Media inquiries about the collection site may be directed to Christopher Tittel, Communications Director, by email Christopher.Tittel@FLHealth.gov or call (305) 924-6839.

View the latest on Manatee County’s community-wide effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by visiting www.mymanatee.org/COVID-19 or text ManateeReady to 888-777.

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.