(AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
PHOENIX — A partnership between the Arizona Department of Health Services and the Maricopa County Department of Public Health will make rapid COVID-19 testing widely available for staff and students in metro Phoenix K-12 schools this year.
Schools can order BinaxNOW antigen test kits through MCDPH. The nasal swab tests, which are also sold over the counter, can produce results within 15 minutes.
Dr. Nick Staab, a medical epidemiologist with MCDPH, said 25,000 tests have been ordered through ADHS and an additional 25,000 test requests will likely follow.
“Our hope is that the availability of these tests will help keep kids in schools,” Staab told KTAR News 92.3 FM.
The tests were available on a limited basis last school year, Staab said, but are more accessible now because of the partnership.
Staab recommends students or staff showing symptoms take the test so they can quickly determine whether they need to leave school grounds or remain home.
The test could also be used to clear those who previously tested positive and want to get back into the classroom.
As of Wednesday, 30 schools in Maricopa County were dealing with COVID-19 outbreaks.
“Now, schools can provide these tests to staff members and students who are sick with COVID-19,” Staab said.
KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Griselda Zetino contributed to this report.