Manatee County's community-wide effort to test local residents for COVID-19 has expanded by more than 30 percent over the past week, and Manatee County residents will have even more options for local testing in coming weeks.

To date, there have been 4,066 COVID-19 tests given in Manatee County, meaning the County has nearly reached its initial goal of having 1 percent of its 411,000 residents tested. MCR Health has completed 3,314 out of the 4,066 COVID-19 tests to date and screened 1,665 potential COVID-19 patients during a free drive-through test period Saturday. As of Wednesday, April 29, 78 percent of Manatee County's positive COVID-19 cases had recovered.

Additional community testing is a critical component in "flattening the curve" of the coronavirus and County Administrator Cheri Coryea says the County's new goal is to have 2 percent, or 8,220 people tested. Manatee County residents have the following options to get tested for COVID-19.

Appointments are required for the Department of Health drive-through collection test period at the Bradenton Area Convention Center, Wednesday May 6 through Friday, May 8, 9 am to 4 pm. Patients must make an appointment in advance of testing by calling (941) 748-0747. There is no cost for patients who use the DOH drive-through collection site.

Specimens collected at the drive-through site will be sent to labs for testing.

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.

Testing will continue to be available at the following three MCR Health locations throughout Manatee County:

East Manatee Health and Wellness Center
1312 Manatee Ave E, Bradenton, (941) 708-8700
Southeast Family Healthcare Center
919 53rd Ave E, Bradenton, (941) 751-8100
Edgar H. Price Family & Children Healthcare Center
12271 U.S. Hwy 301 N, Parrish, (941) 776-4050

For current COVID-19 news in Manatee County.