Dramatic Surge In COVID-19 Test Demand Seen Across Embry Health Arizona Test Sites

Phoenix – Embry Health has seen a massive surge in test demand after the Labor Day Holiday. Over the past week, the 20 COVID-19 Arizona Test sites operated by Embry have seen progressively increased demand. Starting this past Monday, this demand has begun to surge. This is the first dramatic increase in the number of patients seeking testing since July. 

The highest spike in demand occurred in the East Valley of Maricopa County including test sites in Mesa and Chandler. Specifically, the spike has been most dramatic at the 24-hour test sites at the Southern and Dobson Campus of Mesa Community College as well as the Pecos Campus of Chandler-Gilbert Community College. However, all test sites have seen a 25% increase in patients over the past week.

Raymond Embry, CEO of Embry Health and affiliates commented on the spike saying, “we are closely monitoring patient volume at all test sites. During the pandemic, we have seen dramatic increases in test demands after holiday weekends. The last spike occurred after the Fourth of July weekend. This most recent spike in demand correlates to the Labor Day weekend. Following previous holiday weekends, spikes in test demand have also eventually correlated with spikes in positivity numbers. While it is still too early to know if positivity numbers will also increase, we continue to advise patients and the community to take COVID-19 seriously and that our actions on a daily basis can stop its spread.”

Embry Health and its testing partners currently operate 20 continuously operating COVID-19 test sites across the state, including locations in Maricopa, Pinal, and Mohave counties. Of the operating test sites, 7 operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Almost all of the other locations operate 7 days a week. 

Embry continues to rapidly bring new test sites online in preparation for an expected challenging flu season. An additional 6 confirmed test sites will open in early October in Goodyear, Apache Junction, Phoenix, and San Tan Valley. Those will be closely followed by additional locations in Pima and Pinal counties.

Embry Health stands ready and able to bring zero cost COVID-19 testing, Flu vaccination and other services to businesses and communities across the State of Arizona. Regardless if a business wants its employees tested, an organization or church wants its members tested, or a school wants its students tested, Embry Health will be there to support them. Businesses, community organizations, schools, and others that are interested in having testing performed at their location or hosting drive through test and vaccination sites can email development@embrywomenshealth.com for more information. Additional contact information for test site development is included below.  

Since June, Embry Health has reached and worked with county partners across the state to open additional test sites in every Arizona county. Over the past two months, they reached out to every college and county in the State of Arizona. Of the 15 Arizona Counties, only 4 have responded and actively participated in supporting increased testing for their community. 11 Arizona Counties have either failed to respond or have declined additional test sites for their communities. 

Diagnostic lab testing for COVID-19 is currently being run by LabCorp, at the Tempe, Arizona campus. LabCorp is a trusted, nationwide provider of diagnostic lab testing services and Embry Health is proud to continue their successful partnership in expanding access to COVID-19 testing. Currently, results are being reported in 24 to 48 hours and have remained stable even with surges in test demands. 

Embry Health is the largest COVID-19 diagnostic test provider in Arizona. Employing over 400 individuals, in 5 counties, spread across 20 test sites in diverse communities. Since the end of June, Embry Health remains the only test provider to continuously operate 24-hour drive-through test sites. 

In coordination with the Arizona Department of Health Services and Maricopa County Department of Health, Embry Health is currently working rapidly to bring zero cost Flu Vaccination services to all test sites throughout the state. All vaccination services should be fully operational by the first week of October. They will be zero cost to all patients, regardless of insurance, and offered in conjunction with COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing. 

In August, Embry Health, in partnership with Backstage Medical, launched a new interactive test site map. It currently provides an interactive experience for patients to find the test site closest to them and easily book an appointment. Functionality is being constantly improved and will soon be updated to support the launch of Flu Vaccination services throughout the state. The interactive map is located at https://embrywomens.wpengine.com/testing-blitz/

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Embry Women’s Health: embrywomenshealth.com/testing-blitz, 480-376-2170

Media Contact: Patrick Aiken, patrick.aiken@embrywomenshealth.com, 480-573-9416

Test Site Development Contact: James Haggerty, james.haggerty@embryhealth.com, 480-376-2157

Corporate and Organizational Testing Contact: Connor Heinl, conner.heinl@embryhealth.com, 623-439-9051

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