One of the biggest downsides of COVID-19 testing has been the long waits for results.
As recently as late July, many Arizonans were waiting up to two weeks to find out if they tested positive. At that point, results were often useless.
Rapid tests, developed later in the pandemic, seek to provide results within minutes so positive cases can learn far more quickly that they’re infected and can take precautions.
Arizona has several locations where individuals can get rapid tests for COVID-19.
While rapid tests are convenient, there was some early evidence that their results might not be as accurate as often as the nasal swab tests sent out for lab processing. There have been some reports that the commonly-used Abbott ID NOW test sometimes did not identify positive cases, so it may be useful to confirm negative results with another diagnostic test.
There are about 400 places statewide that offer COVID-19 testing, according to a list from the Arizona Department of Health Services, but most require waiting some days for test results to come back from labs.
Here are a few places you can get a rapid test, with results in minutes, in the Phoenix area.
CVS has two rapid testing sites in the Valley, one in Glendale and one in Phoenix. Test results are provided onsite within 30 minutes.
The Glendale location is at 6030 N. 43rd Ave. It opened Friday for rapid testing; its hours are Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Patients will need to pre-register by calling 602-212-4981 to schedule a time for testing.
Individuals must meet Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria, as well as age guidelines, in order to be tested. Rapid tests are free to everyone. A car is not necessary, as walk-ups are allowed.
The Phoenix location is at Virginia G. Piper Medical & Dental Clinic for the uninsured, at 420 W. Watkins Road. CVS and St. Vincent de Paul launched that test site in June. Tests are open by appointment only. Individuals can pre-register by calling 602-850-6940 to schedule a same-day time slot for testing.
CVS rapid tests use the BD Veritor System device, which in July received an emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
NextCare, an urgent care and walk-in provider with locations across the state, offers rapid COVID-19 testing at some locations, for some patients.
NextCare uses the Abbott ID NOW test machine. Positive cases get results in as few as five minutes, and negative cases get results in as few as 13 minutes.
Supplies for the rapid tests are limited, so NextCare says the following individuals may be eligible for a rapid test, per provider discretion:
These NextCare locations offer rapid tests for certain individuals:
More NextCare testing information is available at www.nextcare.com/curbside.
The state health department’s website, www.azhealth.gov/covid19testing, lists around 400 test sites across the state. Many require pre-registration, and it’s best to call ahead to ask about costs with or without insurance.
Some locations guarantee free testing for those without health insurance.
A newer test option is a saliva-based test (rather than a nasal swab) developed by Arizona State University, which recently has expanded beyond the university to the general public. ASU has hosted test events in the Phoenix area and plans to expand saliva test sites to other counties, starting with Pima County. Appointments are needed and can be made online.
Reach the reporter at [email protected] or at 602-444-4282. Follow her on Twitter @alisteinbach.
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