COVID-19 Testing Coming To Phoenix Steele Indian School Park
A popular Phoenix park will soon become a COVID-19 testing site.
On Saturday, Sonora Quest Laboratories is expected to conduct viral tests at Steele Indian School Park. Viral tests show if you currently have COVID-19 and involve collecting samples from your respiratory system, like using a nasal swab in your nose.
As part of an agreement approved by the City Council on Wednesday, Phoenix will provide security, traffic management, and shade canopies and tables. Steele Indian School Park was picked because it has plenty of space and it’s along the Central Avenue light rail line. People can walk-up or stay in their vehicles to be tested.
Sonora Quest will bill people’s insurance companies and reportedly rely on federal funds to cover the costs for people without insurance.
According to a council report, the initial testing event is targeted for May 23 with subsequent weekly events to be scheduled based on demand for testing as determined by consensus between Sonora Quest and the city.
Another location being considered for future public testing is Desert West Park at 67th Avenue and Encanto Boulevard.
Earlier this month, the council approved voluntary testing for nearly 14,000 city employees, regardless of whether they are enrolled in the city’s health care plan. Employees who test positive would need to test negative for two straight weeks before returning to work.
