We are not sharing exact addresses of our testing sites (because) everyone needs to be scheduled for an appointment, so there is no need to release them. We have one located in Northwest Valley, one in Phoenix, one in Mesa and one in Southeast Valley.”

Becky Armendariz, Banner Health marketing and public relations senior director

Banner Boswell Medical Center

10401 W. Thunderbird Blvd.
Sun City, AZ

Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center

14502 W. Meeker Blvd.
Sun City West, AZ

By Rusty Bradshaw
Twitter: @SunCitiesEditor

As coronavirus case numbers continue to rise, Northwest Valley residents remain concerned about exposure to the disease.

Sun Cities COVID-19 cases took a jump upwards from April 22 to April 29. Sun City West had hovered at 6-10 confirmed cases for two weeks, but as of April 29 there were 47 cases in the community covered by the 85375 ZIP code. In Sun City’s 85351 code there were 37 cases last week, up by 12 from the previous week, and still 6-10 in the 86373 code, which includes portions of Peoria and Surprise.

It has been reported the increase in confirmed cases is likely due to testing becoming more available.

Arizona Department of Health Services adjusted its guidelines for COVID-19 testing so that anyone who believes they were exposed to the virus can be tested, not just those at higher risk or with specific symptoms, according to the department website, azdhs.gov.

“Keep in mind, a shortage of personal protective equipment is still limiting the ability to test in some instances,” DHS officials stated on the website.

Other options for testing include residents’ health care providers and private clinics. Multiple Sun Cities residents contacted Independent to report they were tested at clinics even though they had no symptoms. However, residents did not provide locations, upon request of the clinics, citing clinic officials’ fear of being overwhelmed.

Even Banner Health officials would not provide specific locations for new testing sites established last week.

“We are not sharing exact addresses of our testing sites (because) everyone needs to be scheduled for an appointment, so there is no need to release them,” Becky Armendariz, Banner Health marketing and public relations senior director, stated in an email. “We have one located in Northwest Valley, one in Phoenix, one in Mesa and one in Southeast Valley.”

Residents can call 844-542-8201, the Arizona COVID-19 hotline, for information about testing options and availability.

Ms. Armendariz stated those who need testing will be scheduled for an appointment after they are phone screened. Locations are provided to them at that time.

“We prefer that all those with non-life-threatening symptoms be tested at our drive-thru testing sites,” she stated. “Anyone who needs emergent care can certainly go to an emergency room for testing, evaluation and treatment of symptoms.”

There is plenty of capacity at all Banner drive-thru sites at this time, she added.

Banner officials only collect samples for molecular diagnostic testing at this time. Antibody testing is not offered at Banner’s drive-thru collection sites, Ms. mendriaz stated. The diagnostic testing can detect current infection but is unable to determine if someone had a past infection that resolved.

Ms. Armendriaz also stated she could not verify that all positive cases in the Sun Cities were tested at a Banner site.

“ADHS does not break down cases by location where they were tested,” she stated.

Ms. Armendriaz stated Banner facilities are not experiencing shortages in testing materials or personal protective equipment at this time.

Sonora Quest Laboratories officials announced April 24 they will offer antibody testing starting with 1,000-3,000 tests per day, and growing from there. In early May, Sonora Quest officials plan to begin offering antibody testing to consumers without needing a provider’s order or insurance in Arizona.

University of Arizona officials, with the support of $3.5 million in funding from the state, started last week to provide COVID-19 antibody tests to 250,000 health care workers and first responders. University officials will also provide testing to students and faculty.

ADHS officials, in coordination with health care partners throughout the state, launched last week the Arizona Testing Blitz, with the goal of increasing testing statewide, according to an ADHS press release. ADHS officials aim to test 10,000-20,000 Arizonans for COVID-19 every Saturday for three consecutive weeks, which began May 2. Testing will be available to anyone who thinks they have been exposed to and could be infected with COVID-19 and will be based on criteria set by each testing site.

ADHS officials did not respond by press time to multiple email requests for comment on issues including why testing locations are not made public, shortages of testing materials and PPE, and the reasons for such a large increase in cases in Sun City West.