Arizona Health officials extend “Testing Blitz” for two weeks

Tests will be available into June

PHOENIX, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), in partnership with healthcare partners across the state, announced Friday the Arizona Testing Blitz will be expanded an additional two weeks.

Arizona Testing Blitz events were held on May 2, May 9, and the third event will be held this coming Saturday, May 16.

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There are more than 70 sites participating this Saturday and testing will be available to anyone who thinks they have been exposed to and could be infected with coronavirus, based on criteria set by each testing site. 

“To slow the spread of COVID-19 in our communities we need to identify cases and perform contact tracing, and the Arizona Testing Blitz is helping us to learn more about how the disease is spreading in our state,” said Dr. Cara Christ, ADHS director.

“While there have been thousands of diagnostic tests during the Saturday Testing Blitz events, we are pleased that testing has also been increasing during the week. I want to thank all of our healthcare partners from across the state for participating in the Arizona Testing Blitz. This could not be done without their incredible support.”

During previous Blitz Saturdays:

• May 2 - More than 5,400 PCR tests were done at 32 sites
• May 9 - more than 50 sites participated and more than 9,700 PCR tests were done

With additional awareness of testing locations and availability of testing supplies, diagnostic testing has greatly increased across the state. More than 37,000 diagnostic tests were reported the first week of May compared to under 12,000 PCR tests reported the first week of April. That's a 200% increase in tests. 

KYMA.com will have full details on locations for the additional testing as soon as they become available.