Arizona announces plan to test all patients, staff in long-term care centers
May 12, 2020, 4:00 PM | Updated: 8:03 pm
(Youtube Screenshot/Arizona Department of Health Services)
(Youtube Screenshot/Arizona Department of Health Services)
PHOENIX — Arizona Department of Health Services Director Dr. Cara Christ announced Tuesday that the state is coordinating coronavirus tests for all patients and staff within long-term care facilities.
During a press conference lead by Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, Christ said that Arizona is currently working with 147 long-term care centers across the state on COVID-19 testing.
“We are working with our local public health departments in order to be able to coordinate this,” Christ said.
“We also have been partnering with labs like Sonora Quest.”
Christ’s announcement comes one day after the Trump administration strongly recommended that all individuals in such facilities be tested within the next two weeks.
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Christ also announced that the University of Arizona will be coordinating with the Arizona Department of Corrections Rehabilitation and Reentry to provide antibody testing for all on-site officers.
There was no mention of additional coronavirus tests being made available for inmates.
She added that epidemiologists will be deployed to correctional facilities to provide technical assistance and ensure that CDC guidelines are being followed.
Ducey initially announced the goal to test everyone in long-term care facilities on May 4; he also ordered such facilities provide enhanced coronavirus data reporting on the same day.
During the same press conference, Ducey announced that the statewide stay-at-home order would expire would on Friday.
