PHOENIX — Arizona Governor Doug Ducey's office is responding to long COVID-19 testing wait times over the weekend by saying they are "similarly frustrated" to see 10 plus hour wait times in the west Valley.
Because of that, a spokesperson for the governor’s office tells ABC15 that their office and the Department of Health Services is reaching out to community partners and leaders to identify additional collection sites in this community.
The free event on Saturday took place at Desert West Park and Sports Complex in Phoenix on Saturday.
The private testing blitz was put on by Equality Health in partnership with the city of Phoenix, Sonora Quest Laboratories and Equality Care Center.
Last week, the governor said in his COVID-19 press conference that testing allows "Arizona to make better, real time decisions."
According to the governor’s office PCR testing has increased over 40% in the past two weeks.
The long line of cars over the weekend forced hundreds of people to sit in the heat with no access to bathrooms, food or water. Many of the cars had four to five family members in them because of multi-generational households.
“We accept responsibility for the long waits it’s not something we wanted for people and were committed to making sure they have a better experience for those that are coming on Saturday,” said Tomas Leon with Equality Health.
Leon told ABC15 they never expected that many people to be tested, and it shows how great the need is in that community. Along with the free test, you did not have to provide insurance or an identification.
For the next testing event this weekend, they plan to have restrooms, and will add more lanes through the drive-thru screening.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health Services said on Monday they have added 40 testing sites to its website through private providers.
For more information on the next testing date, click here.
