ARIZONA NEWS

Sonora Quest taking longer to produce COVID-19 test results in Arizona

Jun 30, 2020, 4:25 AM | Updated: 9:40 am

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)...

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

PHOENIX — The company processing a majority of Arizona’s coronavirus tests is taking longer to produce results.

The turnaround time for test results from Sonora Quest Laboratories was three days in March, when it first started doing COVID-19 testing.

“It’s now taking five to six days from the time we receive the specimen to report results,” Sonya Engle, the lab’s chief operating officer, told KTAR News 92.3 FM. “But we are ramping up capacity so that we can handle the additional volume that’s expected.”

Engle pointed to the “very high demand” of COVID-19 tests over the last few weeks as the main reason why it’s taking her company longer to process test results.

In fact, she said the increased volume of tests over the weekend caused Sonora Quest to miss the deadline to report COVID-19 cases to the Arizona Department of Health Services on Monday.

Engle said several steps are being taken to meet the growing demand and speed up the turnaround time for COVID-19 test results, including bringing in more staff and adding more testing equipment.

The lab is also looking to add a third testing platform that will enable it to offer more than 40,000 coronavirus tests per day. Right now it has the capacity to do 6,000-7,000 tests daily.

Sonora Quest currently performs about 80% of Arizona’s diagnostic testing for COVID-19.

“As we continue to build capacity and offer more testing, we’ll likely see that percentage increase,” Engle said.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Mama bear...

Danny Shapiro

Wildlife officials relocate mama bear, cubs from Arizona town

A mama bear and her cubs were getting too comfortable with human areas in an Arizona town and were moved to another location, authorities said Friday.

46 minutes ago

Construction zones on metro Phoenix freeways...

Kevin Stone

Closures scheduled for parts of US 60, I-17 and Loop 202 this weekend

Halloween is in the rear-view mirror, but freeway construction zones could cause nightmares for Valley drivers this weekend.

2 hours ago

AZ Political Podcast...

Jim Sharpe

AZ Political Podcast: Chuck Coughlin predicts the 2024 election in Arizona

Chuck Coughlin joins this episode of AZ Political Podcast and discusses the surprises of the election season and makes some predictions.

2 hours ago

Rain phoenix weekend forecast...

Kevin Stone

Cold front expected to bring rain to Valley this weekend, but not a downpour

The Valley could see rain this weekend, but if you're hoping for widespread showers you'll probably be disappointed.

4 hours ago

Arizona polling presidential senate races...

Kevin Stone

New Arizona polling shows presidential tossup, with Senate race getting tighter

Arizona polling conducted the week before Election Day shows the presidential race as a tossup and the U.S. Senate race getting tighter.

5 hours ago

Follow @GriseldaZetino...

Sponsored Content by Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Why a Heating Tune-Up is Essential Before Winter

PHOENIX, AZ — With cooler weather on the horizon, making sure your heating system is prepped and ready can make all the difference in staying comfortable this winter.

Sponsored Articles

...

Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Why a Heating Tune-Up is Essential Before Winter

PHOENIX, AZ — With cooler weather on the horizon, making sure your heating system is prepped and ready can make all the difference in staying comfortable this winter.

...

Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

It wouldn’t hurt to get your AC checked after Arizona’s excruciating heat wave

A well-maintained air conditioning unit is vital to living a comfortable life inside, away from triple-digit heat in Arizona.

...

Dr. Shanyn Lancaster, Family & Sports Medicine physician, Midwestern University Comprehensive Care Clinic – Central Phoenix

Exercise is truly your best medicine

“You never slow down, you never grow old”. – Tom Petty

Sonora Quest taking longer to produce COVID-19 test results in Arizona