Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Charlie Crist (D-St. Petersburg) sent a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar, calling for HHS to use its emergency authority to support drive-thru testing for the novel coronavirus.

This would decrease contact between patients, providers, and the general public while helping to combat community spread of the COVID-19.

Congressman Crist has been leading efforts to improve the government’s response to the coronavirus, recently sending letters to the Centers for Disease Control (letter) pressing for increased transparency, asking the Florida Surgeon General to share more information on possible cases in Florida (letter), calling on the President to appoint a Coronavirus Czar (letter), and asking the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control to work to improve, expand, and expedite coronavirus testing (letter).

The coronavirus has more than 155,000 confirmed cases across Asia, Europe, and North America. Across the United States, there have been over 2,500 confirmed cases of the virus and more than 50 confirmed deaths. Florida accounts for 83 of those confirmed cases and 3 deaths.

The letter to Secretary Azar can be found here with the text below.

                                                    March 14, 2020

  

The Honorable Alex Azar, Secretary
Department of Health and Human Services

Dear Secretary Azar,

Thank you for your important work during this global health crisis.  As you know, President Trump declared a national emergency to combat the coronavirus pandemic, which included additional authorities and power for you as Secretary of Health and Human Services to protect the public’s health.

As you know, the current lack of access to coronavirus tests is hindering our response to this pandemic. It's unacceptable, a preventable failure that has put countless Americans at greater risk.  Going forward, the federal government must do better.  I, therefore, am calling on you to use your new authorities in support of one particularly important tool to mitigate this crisis: development of drive-thru testing sites nationwide.  

Drive-thru testing will decrease the amount of contact between infected patients, providers, and the general public, helping to combat community spread and keep the public better informed.  We have seen the efficacy of this across the world and in American cities like Denver and Cleveland.  You have the power to do whatever is necessary to bring drive-thru testing nationwide, and the American people are counting on you to use it.

Getting this right will require a laser-like focus on the most effective ways of containing, treating, and ultimately eliminating COVID-19.  I know you share the urgency of this matter and will continue to put the American people’s best interests first and foremost.

Sincerely,

Charlie Crist

UNITED STATES CONGRESSMAN