Banner Health rolling out drive-thru coronavirus sampling in Arizona

PHOENIX – Banner Health announced Monday it is rolling out drive-thru locations in Arizona to take samples for coronavirus testing.

Anybody who thinks they are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 can call Banner at 844-549-1851 for a screening with a medical professional.

People who meet the criteria for testing set by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention can be scheduled for an appointment at one of four drive-thru locations, three in metro Phoenix and one in Tucson.

The sites will be staffed from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays.

Patients must go through screening and be scheduled before they can get testing done.

At the drive-thru site, they must fill out paperwork and agree to self-isolation until their results are in. Then a specimen will be collected with a swab in the nose.

Patients will remain in their car throughout the process, which Banner says will take 5-20 minutes.

The specimens will be sent to Sonora Quest Laboratories to be tested, with results expected in 3-5 days.

Positive tests will be reported to state and county health officials, who will tell patients what they should do next.

Banner said it is planning to open additional drive-thru sites.

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