Hillsborough opens COVID drive-thru test site at Adventure Island

Jamal Thalji, Tampa Bay Times
·4 min read

Editor’s note: This site was closed on Feb. 20.

TAMPA — A new drive-thru COVID-19 test site opened Monday in the parking lot of Adventure Island.

The site is located at 10001 N. McKinley Drive and will be free to the public, according to Hillsborough County officials. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week and no appointment will be needed. The water park is closed for winter and reopens March 5.

Access the parking lot off E Bougainvillea Avenue to reach the site. Those driving north on McKinley Drive will take the first right. Those heading south on McKinley Drive will turn left onto E Bougainvillea Avenue and then take the first right. Street signs will direct drivers to the testing site. Click here to view a street map.

The site offers both COVID-19 tests: rapid antigen tests, which can produce results within minutes or hours; and PCR or polymerase chain reaction tests, which are more accurate but take about 48 hours or longer to come in.

For more information visit HCFLGov.net/COVID19 or Vaccines.gov. Call 813-272-5900 if you don’t have Internet access.

Here are the other free, public test sites in Hillsborough County and Tampa:

  • Free drive-thru testing at Al Barnes Park, 2902 N 32nd St., Tampa. It’s open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week. Police will close the drive-thru line at 6 p.m. Check the city of Tampa’s social media to make sure the site hasn’t closed early before heading there. Click here for more information from the city of Tampa and to pre-register.

  • Al Lopez Park, 4602 N Himes Ave., Tampa. The city of Tampa’s site is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week. Check the city of Tampa’s social media to make sure the site hasn’t closed early before heading there. Click here for more information from the city of Tampa and to pre-register.

  • Free drive-thru testing at Hillsborough Community College Brandon campus, 10451 Nancy Watkins Drive, Tampa. Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. The site can only be accessed via E Columbus Drive. Do not use Nancy Watkins Drive.

  • Progress Village Park, 8701 Progress Blvd., Tampa. Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week.

  • West Tampa Community Resource Center, 2103 N Rome Ave., Tampa. Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. Vaccinations and boosters also are available. The pediatric vaccine is available for children ages 5 to 11 but a parent or legal guardian must verbally confirm the child’s age.

Click here for more information about testing in Hillsborough.

Click here for more information about testing in the city of Tampa.

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How to get tested

Tampa Bay: The Times can help you find the free, public COVID-19 testing sites in Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sarasota counties.

Florida: The Department of Health has a website that lists testing sites in the state. Some information may be out of date.

The U.S.: The Department of Health and Human Services has a website that can help you find a testing site.

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How to get vaccinated

The COVID-19 vaccine for ages 5 and up and booster shots for eligible recipients are being administered at doctors’ offices, clinics, pharmacies, grocery stores and public vaccination sites. Many allow appointments to be booked online. Here’s how to find a site near you:

Find a site: Visit vaccines.gov to find vaccination sites in your ZIP code.

More help: Call the National COVID-19 Vaccination Assistance Hotline.

Phone: 800-232-0233. Help is available in English, Spanish and other languages.

TTY: 888-720-7489

Disability Information and Access Line: Call 888-677-1199 or email DIAL@n4a.org.

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More coronavirus coverage

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KIDS AND VACCINES: Got questions about vaccinating your kid? Here are some answers.

BOOSTER SHOTS: Confused about which COVID booster to get? This guide will help.

BOOSTER QUESTIONS: Are there side effects? Why do I need it? Here’s the answers to your questions.

PROTECTING SENIORS: Here’s how seniors can stay safe from the virus.

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