Arizona county might stop COVID-19 testing as resources dwindle

PHOENIX – An Arizona county with community spread of COVID-19 said it might have to stop testing for the coronavirus this week because it’s running low on resources.

Coconino County, which spans from the Flagstaff area to the state’s northern border, issued a press release over the weekend saying it needed federal and state governments to supply additional financial aid, test kits and personal protection equipment for health care workers.

“Coconino County’s COVID-19 response is a leader in the state,” Coconino County Board of Supervisors Chair Lena Fowler said in the release. “However, if we don’t get the financial aid and supplies soon, we won’t be able to continue services to help prevent the spread of this virus.

The County’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic will be impacted if supplies & financial resources aren’t replenished. the County has increased testing opportunities for individuals exhibiting resp symptoms consistent with #COVID19. See full release:https://t.co/TZbQBN1TnS

— Coconino County (@CoconinoCounty) March 22, 2020

“We call on our state and federal partners to make test kits and other supplies available immediately.”

As of Monday morning, five days after the first Flagstaff-area case, 17 positive tests for COVID-19 had been reported in Coconino County.

The county started offering drive-up swab testing March 16 at one location and added a second site the next day. Because of the resource shortage, that service has been reduced to 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily at one site, the Coconino Community College East Campus on Fourth Street in Flagstaff, while supplies last.

The Fort Tuthill drive-up testing site is no longer operating.

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