Let's be very clear what's happening while Pres. Trump urges this.
Arizona experienced an inundation of folks seeking COVID tests over last week. It led to hours-long waits, denial of tests & backlog in processing//results taking 7+ days to be returned.
nbcnews.com/politics/2020-…
Arizona experienced an inundation of folks seeking COVID tests over last week. It led to hours-long waits, denial of tests & backlog in processing//results taking 7+ days to be returned.
nbcnews.com/politics/2020-…
Sonora Quest Laboratories, the major lab here that has processed about 80% of AZ's COVID tests, has capacity to process 12k tests a day--but in last week, the # of tests it has received from testing partners has exceeded that daily limit, causing the major backlog of cases.
“We just can’t ramp up fast enough,” Sonya Engle, the chief operating officer for Sonora Quest Laboratories, tells me.
**The lab that processes 80% of Arizona's tests does not have the current capacity to process the daily demand of incoming tests.**
nbcnews.com/politics/2020-…
**The lab that processes 80% of Arizona's tests does not have the current capacity to process the daily demand of incoming tests.**
nbcnews.com/politics/2020-…
Consequently, folks are being told their tests will not be returned for even 10+ days (I was told this myself in Phoenix) because of the backlog.
It even took the director of the Pima County Health Department ten days to get his test, per @JoeDanaReports:
It even took the director of the Pima County Health Department ten days to get his test, per @JoeDanaReports:
Because of the backlog of cases, the state’s major hospital provider, Banner Health, also began limiting testing at its urgent care facilities to only individuals with COVID symptoms.
Arizona is struggling to live out the "anybody" that wants a test can get a test.
Arizona is struggling to live out the "anybody" that wants a test can get a test.
“Due to testing demand and turnaround time for processing, Banner requested that the state assist Sonora Quest Laboratories in securing supplies to increase its capacity to process COVID-19 tests,” Becky Armendariz, spox for @BannerHealth, to NBC News.
Sonora Quest Labs says it presently has two “Roche 8800” machines used to process AZ's PCR tests. Each machine can run 3k-4k tests a day. Also has 5 “Panther Processing Systems” - each of these can process 1000 tests a day.
This = about 12k capacity a day
This = about 12k capacity a day
*The Arizona governor’s office says it is actively seeking to acquire additional test-processing machinery for Sonora Quest & would provide federal CARES Act $$ for those costs.
Sonora Quest says the earliest it can get a new machine itself?
August.
Sonora Quest says the earliest it can get a new machine itself?
August.
AZ Gov's COO @AZDanielRuiz: “We’re working to get a Roche 8800, or multiple, to Sonora Quest—thru FEMA & other federal partners to get the resources we need. These are in high demand. But Arizona continues to be a priority from a national standpoint.”
Arizonans have also experienced wait times exceeding 5+ hours at some COVID testing locations.
“It’s staffing,” said Dr. Amanpreet Singh, Sr VP of NextCare's med ops. “The demand & surge is so high. It’s the supply and demand. I wish I had enough staff.”
nbcnews.com/politics/2020-…
“It’s staffing,” said Dr. Amanpreet Singh, Sr VP of NextCare's med ops. “The demand & surge is so high. It’s the supply and demand. I wish I had enough staff.”
nbcnews.com/politics/2020-…
NextCare's Singh said medical field in Arizona is already strapped for qualified workers, noting need for nurses & medical assistants to perform COVID tests. Hiring & credentialing process for new medical professionals takes at least 3 weeks, Singh said.
Sonora Quest Labs suggested to Arizona governor's office & AZDHS to change its guidance policy to urge individuals only with symptoms to be tested.
AZDHS Dir. Cara Christ tells NBC News, tho, some private labs and other facilities around the state do have processing capacity.
AZDHS Dir. Cara Christ tells NBC News, tho, some private labs and other facilities around the state do have processing capacity.
There are some labs *with* own processing capacity as the major lab Sonora Quest is backlogged.
“We know there are labs that are not at testing capacity, so we still want people to be able to get tested if they want to be tested,” AZDHS's @drcarachrist.
“We know there are labs that are not at testing capacity, so we still want people to be able to get tested if they want to be tested,” AZDHS's @drcarachrist.
So need a testing location in Arizona with a quick turnaround?
After posting my own journey, got a lot of good testing location recs from folks:
-ARCpoint Labs of Scottsdale North
-Embry Women's
-MedPost Urgent Care
-HonorHealth
-doineedacovid19test.com
After posting my own journey, got a lot of good testing location recs from folks:
-ARCpoint Labs of Scottsdale North
-Embry Women's
-MedPost Urgent Care
-HonorHealth
-doineedacovid19test.com
