Due to a recent increase in the number of COVID-19 coronavirus testing kits, Hillsborough County’s call center is continuing to schedule testing appointments for symptomatic individuals that meet the testing criteria.
Drive-thru testing will ONLY be administered to symptomatic individuals who have pre-registered and have scheduled an appointment through Hillsborough County’s call center at (813) 272-5900. The call center is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. No closing date is scheduled at this time.
Testing will take place at one of the County’s testing sites. However, testing will not proceed without an appointment.
Appointment-seekers are urged to be thoughtful of others. The demand for test kits across the nation remains very high. Those who fail to arrive at their designated appointment time will lose their opportunity to be tested without exception. Residents who miss appointments or fail to show up will be required to re-register through the call center, as missed appointments may result in other symptomatic residents being unable to secure a needed appointment.
Pre-Screening and Pre-Registration Are Required:
- Residents may get tested if they have been pre-screened and meet testing guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and the Florida Department of Health.
- Residents also must be pre-registered through the Hillsborough County call center at (813) 272-5900, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- People who do not have a designated primary care physician or are uninsured are eligible for pre-screening and pre-registration through the call center.
- There is no charge for the test administered at Hillsborough County locations.
- Should a test be scheduled for you, you will be informed of time, date, and testing location during this call.
What to Bring:
- You must arrive in a personal vehicle. Due to the increased risk of contamination as well as current shortages of personal protective equipment, walk-ups are not permitted at this time.
- Each person to be tested must be seated next to a working window.
- Limit vehicle passengers to those needing a test.
- Have a photo ID with name and date of birth for all persons being tested (can be Florida driver’s license, state-issued ID, or passport).
- Bring the CORRECT confirmation code provided by the call center; this can be a printed copy of the testing confirmation email received from the call center, a screen-shot of the confirmation number, or the code may be provided verbally. A printed code or screen-shot on the phone helps the process, but is not required.
- You will be required to provide the following information:
- Full name
- Current address (where you are staying)
- Best phone number to reach you in order to receive test results
What to Expect:
- You will be greeted by a health care provider in personal protective gear who will give you instructions.
- A minimally invasive test will be administered.
- Do NOT eat for two hours prior to your appointment time.
- Test results are not immediate. It may take 10 days or longer for results. After taking the test, you will be given information on what to do while you await the results.
- You will receive test results via the telephone number you gave at the time of pre-screening.
- Please be patient – calling back to check on your results will not expedite the process.
- Testing sites are staffed by health care professionals in medical protective gear who are trained to test for COVID-19 coronavirus. Directional signage and law enforcement will help residents through the testing site in an orderly fashion.
People who are experiencing a medical emergency should dial 9-1-1 immediately.
COVID-19 coronavirus testing has been a collaboration among Hillsborough County, the City of Tampa, the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County, and four major medical groups in the region – BayCare, Tampa General Hospital, AdventHealth, and HCA Healthcare – West Florida Division.
Other Hillsborough County News
Hillsborough County officials thank residents and businesses for the donation of badly needed medical supplies and are renewing the call to keep needed supplies coming. The supply of donated equipment will be used locally in hospitals, nursing centers, assisted living facilities, or other areas of need to protect those dealing with the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
Medical schools, dental clinics, elective surgery centers, private vendors, residents, and others are asked to donate the following items:
- Impervious gowns
- Face shields
- Surgical masks
- N95 masks
- Tyvek suits
- Exam gloves
The equipment must be medical grade personal protection equipment and new in the box or unused. All sizes are needed.
Supplies can be dropped off at the former Sears Automotive shop at 250 Westshore Plaza in Tampa. The site is manned by volunteers from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday-Friday.
Get Connected. Stay Alert.
For more information on COVID-19, and any other potential emergency in the county, visit HCFLGov.net/StaySafe and sign up for the HCFL Alert system. Additionally, you can follow Hillsborough County on social media at Facebook, Twitter, and Nextdoor for updates. For general County information, call (813) 272-5900, the County’s main information line.
Media Contact:
Communications & Digital Media for Joint Information Center
(813) 277-1600
Hillsborough County Call Center Remains Open for Scheduling COVID-19 Tests
Residents in Need of Testing are Urged to Call (813) 272-5900 to Pre-register