UArizona expanding coronavirus antibody testing program across state
May 16, 2020, 4:25 AM
(AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
PHOENIX — The University of Arizona on Friday announced it will expand its coronavirus antibody testing program to have locations throughout the state.
The program, which began April 30, has only offered testing in Pima County.
The expansion will add testing sites in Arizona’s 14 other counties to reach a total of 31 sites across the state.
New sites will begin opening next week, according to a press release.
The state of Arizona will provide an additional $3.5 million in funding to add the antibody testing sites.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey in mid-April announced the state partnered with the university to provide 250,000 COVID-19 antibody tests for health care professionals and first responders fighting the virus.
The hope was the tests would help provide a better road map of who has been affected by the coronavirus and to help better shield citizens from further exposure.
The university-issued testing checks for antibodies through a a blood sample to determine if an individual was exposed to COVID-19, had the virus and recovered.
The specific testing site for each participant will be selected during the registration process.
Registration for testing is available on the university’s website.