PHOENIX —
Arizona is taking coronavirus testing to a new level for the next three Saturdays, with a so-called “Testing Blitz” at the State Fairgrounds in Phoenix and other sites around the state.
The state Department of Health Services’ goal is performing up to 20,000 tests on each of the three weekends, which would double the weekly statewide average.
Here are five things to know about the blitz
Why a test blitz?: Gov. Doug Ducey’s phased-in reopening of Arizona businesses next week means the state has to ensure coronavirus cases are under control. Expanded testing is a way to do that.
One expert says widespread testing is the “cleanest” measure of whether COVID-19 is under control.
CDC guidelines for reopening states call for expanded testing, then monitoring the number and the growth rate of positive tests. Both should decline for a 14-day stretch.
“The more testing that we can do and the more testing that we make available, the more information that the governor will have in order to make these important decisions for the public,” Maricopa County’s medical director, Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine, said at a Thursday news conference.
Are there enough tests? For almost two months, coronavirus tests have been rationed.
First responders, health care workers and the sickest patients have been first in line.
Public health officials said there weren’t enough test supplies to go around, or enough personal protective gear for health care workers to do the tests.
It’s been a nationwide problem.
Now DHS has loosened the criteria for testing: If you have symptoms or believe you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus, get a test.
The governor’s office believes the 20,000-test goal can be reached.
“We are told that they do have capacity for 20,000 (tests) per weekend,” Ducey’s communications director, Patrick Ptak, told 12 News.
What’s changed? There are now the haves - larger healthcare providers - and the have nots.
“What’s challenging is there are some companies and some health care providers that have access to adequate personal protective equipment and testing supplies and a laboratory, and some that do not,” Sunenshine said.
She issued the caveat that the county isn’t involved in the testing blitz, so she wasn’t speaking on behalf of DHS.
“The issue for us is (tests) are not widely available and consistently available. But these providers would not be participating (in the blitz) if they didn’t have sufficient supplies.”
Among those scraping for testing supplies: long-term care homes, a pandemic hot spot.
Sunenshine said all care home residents would be the first she would test.
“We are not at the point yet where there are enough testing supplies available where we can offer that level of testing,” she said.
How much will tests cost?: A DHS spokesman said via email, “The cost and insurance information will vary by site, based on the healthcare partner providing the testing.”
Banner Health Care, which will be handling tests at the State Fairgrounds in Phoenix as well as several of its own facilities, didn’t respond to a request for comment.
An agent on Banner’s registration line said the company would bill private insurers or Medicaid for the tests. The out-of-pocket cost for people lacking insurance coverage will range from $75 to $199.
Where are tests done? There are 17 testing locations in Maricopa County on Saturday, the first of three consecutive Saturdays for the “testing blitz.” There are other sites in Coconino, Pima, Yavapai and Yuma Counties.
DHS says locations continue to be added.
You must call or go online to register for a test. All the information is here