TAMPA, Fla. — On Tuesday, the City of Tampa opened Hillsborough County's fourth COVID testing site at Al Barnes Park in response to the recent increase in demand since the holidays.
Health officials say the county is conducting near record numbers of tests each day, and whether you choose a PCR test, rapid test at a site, or an at home test, recommendations for who, and when, to test remain the same.
What You Need To Know
- A fourth COVID testing site at Al Barnes Park in Tampa is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- County is conducting near record numbers of tests each day
- Florida breaks single-day COVID-19 record with 75,900 cases
- Where to get tested in the Bay Area
"The guidance is still the same as going back to 2020. If you are symptomatic, you have symptoms of COVID, get tested. If you have been exposed to a known, or even suspected case of COVID, get tested," said Ryan Pedigo with Hillsborough County's Health Department.
Pedigo said long lines at COVID testing sites have been the norm since right after Thanksgiving, and as of last week, the county has a 26% positivity rate, which is the highest we've seen in quite a while.
If you think you may have COVID, and unsure about which test you should take, and which is the most accurate, Pedigo said the PCR test is still the most reliable. It looks for the virus' genetic material.
The rapid test, or antigen test, isn't a bad option, though.
These tests are administered at the county and city run sites, as well as the tests sold to do at home. Your body produces antigens when you're infected with COVID, and these tests look for those antigens.
Health officials do advise waiting a minimum of three days from the time you were exposed, or the time your symptoms first began, and Pedigo actually recommends waiting five days to take these tests in order to give your body time to produce the antigens.
Still, health experts say there is one way to protect yourself, and your family.
"People's best defense, with the Omicron, which is what everyone is talking about now, it's more mild as far as severity goes, but it is super highly transmissible, which is what we're seeing, and the best way to keep your case mild and out of the hospital, or someone you love out of the hospital if you expose them, get vaccinated, get your booster," said Pedigo.
President Biden will meet with the COVID Response Team on Tuesday.
He already announced plans to provide free at-home tests to Americans. Details about the program are still being worked out.