Pima County Health Department, Pima Community College (PCC) and Arizona State University (ASU) are opening three new COVID-19 testing sites over the next few weeks. The partnership among the entities builds on the Health Department's current support of ASU testing at Ellie Towne Center in Flowing Wells.
"Drive-thru testing requires significant space to move cars through safely and efficiently," said Louie Valenzuela, Emergency Operations Manager for the Health Department. "PCC's ample parking lots have moved drive-thru testing from a goal to a reality and we greatly appreciate their support."
Notably, these locations are also offering testing via sputum, or spit, samples instead of the nasopharyngeal test that reaches the back of the nasal canal.
The PCC locations host the ASU laboratory's collections starting on Monday, Nov. 16, 2020 at PCC-West Campus. Registration is required ahead of time. Patients must be 5 years or older. Each site will run from 9 a.m. - noon.
Pima Community College West Campus (PCC-W)
2022 W. Anklam Rd., Tucson, AZ 85709
(Use Anklam Rd entrance.) |
Mondays, except national holidays and Dec. 28, 2020
|
Monday, Nov. 16, 2020
|
Pima Community College Desert Vista Campus (PCC- DV)
5901 S. Calle Santa Cruz, Tucson, AZ 85709
(Use S. Calle Santa Cruz entrance.) |
Wednesdays, except national holidays and Dec. 30, 2020
|
Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020
|
Pima Community College East Campus (PCC-E)
8181 E. Irvington Rd., Tucson, AZ 85709
(Use S. Fred Enke entrance.) |
Fridays, except national holidays
|
Friday, Dec. 4, 2020
|
The Health Department will provide the logistical supplies (tents, barricades, etc.). PCC is providing signage, security, and traffic control on event days. Pima Community College nursing students and faculty have agreed to volunteer to support the COVID-19 saliva testing activities at PCC’s West, Desert Vista, and East campuses. Groups of 12 student volunteers will be deployed to each testing site.
“PCC takes its responsibility to the community seriously, and we are pleased to be a partner in this important endeavor to protect our citizens’ health and safety,” said PCC Chancellor Lee Lambert.
“As cases rise, we are eager to increase available testing for the people of Pima County,” Dr. Theresa Cullen, Director of the Health Department, said. “If you know or suspect you have been exposed to COVID-19, we encourage you to get tested.”
Registration for the PCC-West Campus location is now open. To register for these or any other Health Department COVID-19 testing locations, visit
pima.gov/covid19testing.