Christ: Saturday’s Arizona testing blitz available to anyone with symptoms

PHOENIX — Arizona’s top health official said a weekend initiative beginning Saturday to test tens of thousands of residents for coronavirus will be available to anyone who believes they have the virus.

Dr. Cara Christ, director for the Arizona Department of Health Services, told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Thursday that the testing will accommodate a wide range of individuals.

“Anyone who feels they’ve been exposed to or infected with COVID-19 is eligible for a test,” Christ said.

Christ said Arizona set a goal of testing 10,000 people per day over each of the next three Saturdays in an effort to ramp up testing in the state.

The state had conducted 71,786 tests as of Thursday morning.

Some centers could be more strict on testing requirements, but Christ said most will allow tests for individuals who believe they have coronavirus.

As of Thursday evening, the state health department listed 30 testing locations for Saturday’s blitz, including 17 in Maricopa County.

An additional 30 locations were listed for the state’s May 9 and May 16 blitzes.

“I know we are still talking to additional sites to get them added,” Christ said.

Christ recommended individuals go to a testing center if one is close and fits necessary criteria, including insurance.

Some sites will also require signing up for a test ahead of time, according to Christ.

“We are working with our health care providers across the state to provide multiple sites to provide testing from multiple providers,” Christ said.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Martha Maurer contributed to this report.

Related

Don’t let monsoon season catch your electrical system off guardDepartment of Health confirms first case of Clade I mpox in Arizona but says public risk lowJay Feely, Amish Shah win respective primaries, will face each other for CD-1Kimberly Yee wins GOP primary for Arizona schools chief over Tom HorneMan convicted of felony assault for punching woman at No Kings protest in Prescott ValleyRemains found in Grand Canyon identified as hiker missing since 2012