After reports of lengthy waits to get COVID-19 testing in Phoenix this past weekend, Arizonans may be wondering about how to get tested.
The easiest way to find the most convenient option is through the Arizona Department of Health Services website, which lists more than 100 sites statewide, more than 80 in metro Phoenix.
The state’s list includes addresses, hours of operation and information about how to register for testing. Most of the locations offer both PCR testing, which detects active COVID-19 infections, and serology testing, which detects antibodies indicating a past coronavirus infection that is no longer active or contagious.
Contact your insurance company for information about coverage.
For the third consecutive weekend, free PCR testing will be available Saturday at Desert West Park and Sports Complex on Encanto Boulevard near 67th Avenue in Phoenix. No ID or insurance is required.
In addition, the state’s two major pharmacy chains, Walgreens and CVS, offer drive-thru testing at multiple locations.
Widespread testing is a key component of public health officials’ response to the coronavirus pandemic.
“We know that rapidly identifying cases, case follow up, and contact tracing will help slow the transmission of COVID-19 in our communities,” Arizona Health Director Dr. Cara Christ wrote in a blog post on April 23.
As of Wednesday morning, 599,806 combined PCR and serology tests had been given in the state.
The amount of PCR testing in Arizona has been going up over time, but so has the percentage of positive results, indicating community spread.
The state reported 59,974 COVID-19 cases with 1,463 deaths as of Wednesday morning.
