Phoenix launches 2nd mobile COVID-19 testing unit with free rapid results
Feb 3, 2021, 4:35 AM
(Twitter Photo/@Ali_Vetnar)
(Twitter Photo/@Ali_Vetnar)
PHOENIX — With increased demand, the city of Phoenix launched its second COVID-19 mobile testing unit Tuesday morning at Cielito Park in the West Valley.
Tuesday’s launch comes after the city’s first mobile COVID-19 testing unit that tested 90,000 people in Phoenix since its launch in August.
The newly launched van is in partnership with Phoenix-based lab Premiere Solutions.
Just like Phoenix’s original mobile COVID-19 testing unit operated by Vincere Cancer Center, this new unit will also offer COVID-19 antigen testing with rapid results expected onsite within 15-20 minutes.
Unlike the original van, the second van will also offer Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing with results emailed to the individual in 1-2 days for added assurance.
Phoenix’s second van will operate three days a week: Monday or Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., with all scheduling available online.
Testing conducted by both vans is completely free with no out-of-pocket costs and no insurance needed.
While the original van remains committed to getting accessible COVID-19 testing to Phoenix’s underserved communities, the new van will focus on finding areas in the city that could be at the highest risk of contracting it.
“We’re going to be targeting the van to hot spots, so we’ll be looking at data about where COVID-19 is most common in the community and the van will go to those locations,” Mayor Kate Gallego said.
During Tuesday’s event, Gallego also mentioned the launch of a new, city-supported COVID-19 testing service at a fixed location beginning the week of Feb. 8.
The static site will operate at Maryvale Park three days a week — Monday, Wednesday and Thursday — from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. The tests will be administered by Vincere Cancer Center, the city’s existing medical partner who operates the original mobile testing unit.
“Most people will not be able to be vaccinated by the end of February, that means testing and masks are our best tools right now, ” Gallego said.
All testing services offered by the city are supplemented by the CARES Act Relief Funds and in part, by the city of Phoenix.
