Some COVID-19 test sites are being closed due to staff infections as demand continues to rise in Phoenix
Some COVID-19 test sites are being closed due to staff infections as demand continues to rise in Phoenix
PHOENIX – COVID-19 tests still in high demand Phoenix area, but the surge in testing has forced some vendors to shut down websites on January 10 because they cannot find enough staff to staff the testing centers.
Embry Health, the state’s largest tester, is one of the providers that had to shut down some sites. Around 35,000 tests were performed daily in the first week of 2022. That is 65% more than in the previous week.
Over the days, some of their employees contracted COVID-19 and this weighed on their ability to occupy their test sites.
MORE: Coronavirus in Arizona: Latest Case Numbers
MORE: Find COVID-19 vaccine locations near you
“At the moment, between 20 and 40% of our workforce is sick with COVID-19. That’s why we’re pushing as hard as possible to get additional employees to these test sites as soon as possible. We’ve Simplified We’ve made sure that patients are self-sacrificing, which enables us to run these jobs more effectively when there is a health care provider crisis, “said Raymond Embry, CEO of Embry Health.
“It significantly reduces the interactions between staff and patients,” he added.
About four locations had to be closed for Embry Heath on January 10th. The test provider says that anyone who had an appointment at these locations can simply go to another location and still meet the appointment.
It is also said that despite the increase in tests, the time to get results is still the same, around 24 to 36 hours. There are only delays with rapid tests.
There could be more sporadic test closings the next day. Embry says that you can just save your confirmation number and go to another location.
“Such a dense network, really. There’s a location within five miles of almost every part of Maricopa County,” he said.
To protect yourself from possible infection, the CDC recommends:
- Avoid close contact with sick people.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces with a normal household cleaning spray or cloth.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face covering when around others
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom. before the meal; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
- Monitor your health daily
MAP: Arizona Coronavirus Cases by ZIP Code
Similar posts:
Related: COVID-19 Tests Remain In High Demand In Phoenix
Coronavirus testing remains in high demand in the Valley, and Embry Health, one of the largest testing providers, says they have hit a new record high for testing. However, as demand has risen sharply, some test sites had to be closed on January 10th. Steve Nielsen from FOX 10 reports.
Comments are closed.