Free coronavirus test program in south Phoenix extended into August
Jul 9, 2020, 9:44 AM | Updated: Jul 13, 2020, 3:00 pm
(Getty Images/Quinn Rooney)
(Getty Images/Quinn Rooney)
PHOENIX — The HeroZona Foundation has extended its free coronavirus drive-thru testing program in south Phoenix through the first week of August, aiming to test thousands of people each day.
PCR testing, which detects active COVID-19 infections, will be available at South Mountain Community College on 24th Street near Baseline Road from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays until Aug. 7. (Note: The sessions were originally scheduled to run until 6 p.m., but they were shortened.)
“The south Phoenix neighborhoods are underserved and have a lack of resources available to get tested for coronavirus,” HeroZona founder Alan “AP” Powell said in a press release.
“We have seen incredibly long lines during our first few days, which is why we’ve responded by adding four additional weeks of testing, in addition to adding earlier hours and doubling stations with the goal of testing 2,000 people each day.”
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People don’t have to pre-register or display coronavirus symptoms in order to receive tests.
Those who arrive for a test must bring a valid ID.
The program — a HeroZona partnership with the Travis L. Williams American Legion Post 65, Maricopa County’s District 5 and the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry — debuted with a two-day run last week and resumed Thursday.
Tests will be administered by the south Florida-based Lab 24, which specializes in molecular testing.
National event services company Pro EM is providing tents, generators, registration booths and more to make the testing process more efficient.
