Expectations fall short for 1st weekend of free metro Phoenix virus testing
Jul 20, 2020, 4:00 PM | Updated: 9:46 pm
(Getty Images/Maddie Meyer)
PHOENIX — The number of metro Phoenix residents who participated in a free drive-thru coronavirus testing program over the weekend was far below what officials had anticipated.
On Tuesday, Arizona’s health department and Department of Emergency and Military Affairs announced a partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to test up to 60,000 residents for COVID-19 over 12 days beginning Friday.
By Monday morning, only 4,545 of the 15,000 available diagnostic PCR tests had been used, according to a press release.
“We have worked to increase access to testing to highly impacted areas of the state,” AZDHS Director Dr. Cara Christ said in the release.
“Over the last several weeks, we have seen high demand and extended wait times for testing. Addition of these new free testing sites has helped meet this demand, with much shorter wait times and significant appointment availability for people who need to be tested.
Testing is scheduled to continue for the next eight days at South Mountain Park (10919 S. Central Ave.) and Maryvale High School (3415 N 59th Ave.).
Samples will be collected via self-administered nasal swabs, and results will made available through an online portal 24-48 hours after the specimens arrive at the lab.
Information regarding required pre-registration can be found online.
“The free testing offered at our surge testing sites is available to all Arizonans, whether or not you live in these areas,” Gov. Doug Ducey said in the release.
“We encourage anyone who wants to get tested for COVID-19 to take advantage of this opportunity.”
Monday morning, AZDHS reported 1,559 new coronavirus cases and 23 more deaths, increasing state totals to 145,183 cases and 2,784 fatalities.