Arizona Governor announces “testing blitz”
Ducey aims to test up to 60,000 over three weekends
PHOENIX, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Governor Doug Ducey says he wants as many as 60,000 Arizonans tested for coronavirus over the course of the next three weekends.
On Monday announced plans for the "Arizona Testing Blitz" in conjunction with The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS.) The initiative aims to test between 10,000 and 20,000 people every Saturday for three consecutive weeks beginning Saturday, May 2.
“Arizona has placed an emphasis on ramping up testing, but we need more,” Governor Ducey said.
“As our healthcare partners develop a more reliable supply of testing materials, we’re working together to take testing availability to the next level.
Ducey says the goals is to make drive-through or onsite testing available across the state. The Governor says testing will be available to anyone who thinks they've been exposed to, or infected with, coronavirus, but criteria will be set by each individual testing site.
ADHS will provide testing locations and hours of operation on the Testing Blitz section of its website. So far, testing locations have only been established for the program's inaugural weekend in Maricopa County. We've reached out to ADHS to get more details on its plans for Arizona's rural counties, including Yuma, but have not yet received a response.
“We know that rapidly identifying cases, conducting case follow-up, and performing contact tracing will help slow the transmission of COVID-19 in our communities,” said Dr. Cara Christ, ADHS director.
Dr. Cara Christ says testing locations will expand as the state finds additional partners to help conduct the screenings.
“Success in these areas requires an increase in our testing capacity, and the Arizona Testing Blitz will help allow those who want to be tested, get tested. We’re appreciative of our participating partners who will provide additional testing for Arizonans over the next few weeks.”
So far Banner Health and Walgreens have agreed to partner with the state on the Testing Blitz. Officials expect other business and organization to join the effort.
