University Of Arizona Partners With State To Launch Antibody Testing For Coronavirus

By Tom Maxedon
Published: Tuesday, April 14, 2020 - 4:57pm
Updated: Tuesday, April 14, 2020 - 5:24pm

Robert Robbins
Howard Fischer/Capitol Media Services
University of Arizona President Robert Robbins speaks at a press conference April 14, 2020. Behind him is Gov. Doug Ducey.

The University of Arizona announced Tuesday that it is partnering with the state to provide antibody testing of the coronavirus.

In a joint press conference with Gov. Doug Ducey and others, UA President Bobby Robbins said the university’s virologists already created 60,000 tests for any of its faculty, students and staff who want one.

When asked last month by Ducey if the number of blood tests was scalable, Robins responded in the affirmative and added today, “We’re happy to partner with the Governor’s Office to expand testing up to 250,000 people. We think we can do that within a month. We’ll be ready to go sometime next week, at the latest May 1.”

Ducey said the serology tests, which still need FDA approval, will be earmarked for state health care professionals and first-responders.

UA will conduct the tests using blood samples that show who has been infected with the novel coronavirus.

→ Read The Latest News On The Coronavirus Disease 

CoronavirusPolitics Science