MARYVALE, AZ — Arizonans have been getting COVID-19 tests at a high rate, but many have expressed frustration having to wait up to 10 to 12 days for results.The frustration is expressed by not only patients, but those in the medical field putting on the COVID-19 testing blitz around the Valley.
"It has been weighing heavily on us seeing our patients wait this long for testing results because in order to combat the virus, we really need accurate and fast test results," said Raymond Embry of Embry Women's Health.
The Maryvale YMCA and Embry Women's Health partnered up to bring a testing site for the next several weekends to those who live in one of the hottest COVID-19 zip codes. Starting this weekend, those who test through Embry Women's Health will be processed by a different lab and therefore, can expect much quicker results.
"Effective this weekend, patients can expect 3 to 5 day turn-around time," adds Embry.
The Maryvale YMCA will have COVID-19 testing every Saturday and Sunday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. through the month of August.
"If you don't have an ID, still show up, no one is going to turn you away, if you don't have a car, walkthrough and we will figure out how to help you," says Elena Steinbess, spokeswoman for the Maryvale YMCA.
Organizers say they have enough tests, personal protective equipment and all necessary logistics to have 800 COVID-19 tests every Saturday and Sunday.
The site also has a new antigen testing machine called 'Sophia', which can provide results within 15 to 30 minutes.
"Now we just need people to come. We built it, now we just need people to show up," adds Steinbess. This event prefers pre-registration, but the test will be given to anyone who needs one, regardless if the person has preregistered. You can go to www.valleyymca.org and a COVID-19 testing link is located at the top of the homepage.
