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News about coronavirus in Florida and around the world is constantly emerging. It's hard to stay on top of it all but Health News Florida can help. Our responsibility is to keep you informed, and to help discern what’s important for your family as you make what could be life-saving decisions.

Federal Money Gives Boost To COVID-19 Testing In Florida

Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.
Centers For Disease Control and Prevention
/
The Florida Channel
The federal government has awarded $28.6 million in grants to 47 Florida health centers to expand coronavirus-testing efforts.

The federal government on Thursday awarded $28.6 million in grants to 47 Florida health centers to expand coronavirus-testing efforts.

“As our state looks forward to reopening its economy, it is critical that we increase our testing capacity,” U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said in a prepared statement. “These federal funds will help Florida health centers continue to identify patients with COVID-19 so we can continue to slow the spread of this disease.”

The largest grant, $1,927,309, was awarded to MCR Health Inc. in Palmetto. Tampa Family Health Centers Inc. and Family Health Centers of Southwest Florida, Inc. were awarded grants of $1,735,219, and $1,360,399, respectively.

The Health Resources and Services Administration in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced $583 million in awards nationwide to 1,385 health centers.

The funding was part of legislation signed April 24 by President Donald Trump.

“Health centers are a first line of defense, as they are testing for coronavirus and delivering high-quality primary care to our nation’s most vulnerable populations.”

Tom Engels, administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, said in a prepared statement.

“In the fight against COVID-19, we must marshal all of our resources to keep Americans healthy and care for those who become ill.”