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The University of Arizona announced Friday it will expand the availability of antibody tests to health care workers and first responders who potentially contracted COVID-19.
The tests would allow workers statewide to find out if they contracted COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, even if they already recovered from it.
"In addition to testing sites in Pima County, where the first phase of the initiative began on April 30, new sites will begin opening the week of May 18 in the other 14 counties in Arizona," the university said in a written statement. "Overall, there will be 31 antibody testing sites across the state, with additional sites becoming available as needed."
The state of Arizona provided $3.5 million for the testing increase according to the statement.
George Humphrey, a spokesman for University of Arizona Health Services, confirmed to The Arizona Republic that the tests would be free for eligible health care workers and first responders.
To be eligible, a health care worker needs to be licensed by one of the following organizations:
- Arizona Medical Board
- Board of Osteopathic Examiners
- Board of Physician Assistants
- Board of Nursing
- Board of Pharmacy
- Board of Respiratory Care
- Board of Physical Therapy
- Board of Radiologic Technologists
- Dental Board
- Nursing Care Institution
First responders include public safety officers, firefighters and EMTs. The school says it plans to eventually expand testing to health care workers licensed by other organizations.
Those interested in getting tested can apply through the university's website and select which site they wish to be tested. The website says the antibody test involves a blood draw at the site. Those eligible will receive an email with the date, time and directions to their respective site.
People will receive their results by email three to five days after they are tested.
However, the university said everyone will be screened for symptoms before their appointments, and anyone showing symptoms commonly seen in COVID-19 patients won't be tested.
The university's website also warns that receiving a positive result from an antibody test doesn't necessarily ensure immunity to COVID-19, as not enough information is available to make that determination.
The increased testing comes shortly after state leaders began reopening Arizona's economy, with restaurants, beauty salons and gyms among the types of businesses able to serve customers indoors.
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