Tampa officials to close COVID-19 test site at Al Barnes Park due to low demand

Parents hope COVID vaccines for kids is light at the end of pandemic tunnel

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s panel of experts on Tuesday endorsed the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for kids ages 5 to 11, a key step in making the shots more widely available for younger children.

TAMPA, Fla. - Tampa city officials plan to close the COVID-19 testing site at Al Barnes Park, citing a drop of new cases in Hillsborough County and lower demand for testing.

The city made the announcement Friday. Testing will still be available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Oct. 31. PCR and rapid antigen tests are available at the site and appointments are not required.

The testing site was added at Al Barnes Park in mid-August when Florida was experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases.

"Although transmission of the COVID-19 virus continues to trend down in our community, we remind residents to continue to maintain healthy habits to protect you and your family," according to a statement by the city. "These include staying home when sick, washing your hands often, getting tested when exposed to a COVID-19 positive person and getting vaccinated to prevent serious illness from the COVID-19 virus."

READ: Florida files lawsuit against Biden administration to challenge vaccine mandate for federal contractors

Free COVID-19 testing may also be available at your local pharmacies, clinics and area hospitals. Over the counter at-home rapid tests are also available at some local pharmacies.

LINK: For more information about COVID-19 testing, visit: www.tampa.gov.

LINK: To find a COVID-19 vaccination site, visit: http://www.vaccines.gov.

Tampa News Coronavirus in Florida