Lee Health Opens Mobile Collection Site to Test for COVID-19

Collection requires test ordered by physician or provider and an appointment

(Fort Myers, Fla. – Mar. 16, 2020) --- Lee Health has established a drive-up site to collect specimens for COVID-19 to increase access for the number of people being tested in our community. The mobile site is in the parking lot of the Lee Convenient Care office at Page Field.

Patients must have an order from their physician or provider and make an appointment before showing up to the collection site. These requirements are necessary to maintain an orderly collection process. Patients who are experiencing symptoms and don’t have a test order should call their primary care physician.

The collection site opens today at noon and will be open seven days a week from 12 – 4 p.m. The site will initially have the capacity to collect up to 32 specimens per day. Lee Health has plans in place to expand the hours and open additional collection sites due to demand. The Page Field Lee Convenient Care office is located at 4771 S Cleveland Avenue in Fort Myers.

“Increasing the number of individuals being tested is a priority for Lee Health to help reduce the spread of coronavirus in our community,” said Larry Antonucci, M.D., MBA, Lee Health president & CEO. “This is a key juncture point in managing this disease and Lee Health is doing everything we can to protect the community.”

The mobile site is for collection of COVID-19 samples only. The specimens will be sent to a lab for testing, which takes 3-4 days to return.

U.S. Senator Rick Scott expressed his appreciation for Lee Health’s efforts on Friday, tweeting “Thanks to Lee Health for limiting exposure and working to get more people tested. This model can be replicated across the state of Florida to immediately expand testing and keep health care professionals safe.”

About Lee Health

Since the opening of the first hospital in 1916, Lee Health has been a health care leader in Southwest Florida, constantly evolving to meet the needs of the community. A non-profit, integrated health care services organization, Lee Health is committed to the well-being of every individual served, focused on healthy living and maintaining good health. Staffed by caring people, inspiring health, services are conveniently located throughout the community in four acute care hospitals, two specialty hospitals, outpatient centers, walk-in medical centers, primary care and specialty physician practices and other services across the continuum of care. Learn more at www.LeeHealth.org.