March 30 Update: For information on the Health Care District of Palm Beach County’s West Palm Beach coronavirus testing site, click here.
Update: As of Tuesday, March 17 at 11:15 a.m., Foundcare is no longer taking appointments for COVID-19 testing at its drive-through location in West Palm Beach. In a media advisory, Foundcare released the following statement:
“FoundCare has been overwhelmed with calls for appointments, and individuals have been showing up without following required screening protocols and confirmed appointments.”
“’Currently, we have scheduled appointments through April 10,’ said Yolette Bonnet, CEO of FoundCare. ‘Until we receive additional test kits, we are unable to further schedule any testing appointments. We ask for the public’s understanding during these uncertain times. We will announce if we are able to resume testing as soon as those kits become available. In the interim, we will not see anyone for testing if they do not have a confirmed appointment. You will be turned away.’”
With the coronavirus now impacting seemingly every aspect of our daily lives, more and more people are looking to get tested for COVID-19. Because there are a finite amount of tests available, there are currently limited locations in our area.
As of right now, there is only one location in Palm Beach County that is actively offering testing for COVID-19. As more become available, this list will be updated.
Foundcare, a nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center, will be hosting a drive-thru coronavirus testing site in West Palm Beach at 2330 S. Congress Avenue, starting today.
The testing will be open to Palm Beach County residents who have called FoundCare to complete a screening process and have made a scheduled appointment. Prospective patients must call 561/967.0365 for screening and appointment as they will be turned away if they do not have an appointment.
During the call, the patient will be asked basic screening questions about their symptoms and other criteria for the test. The phone line will be manned for screening and appointments weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Patients will be asked if they meet any of the following testing criteria:
- Someone who has been in close contact with confirmed COVID-19 case
- Fever or cough
- Shortness of breath
- International travel in the last 14 days with or without symptoms above
- Cruise travel within the last 14 days with or without symptoms above
- Airline travel in the last 14 days with or without symptoms above
- Attendance at a group gathering where an outbreak for COVID is under investigation, with or without symptoms above
Following today’s launch between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the service will continue on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and hours may be adjusted based on need and supplies. Testing will be conducted by trained FoundCare staff members.
This post will be updated as more testing locations in Palm Beach County become available.
