FEMA R9 Administrator Robert Fenton Statement on Testing in Phoenix

Release Date Release Number
RIX-NR-20-24
Release Date:
July 7, 2020

OAKLAND, Calif. – “Yesterday, Admiral Giroir and I spoke to the Mayor of Phoenix regarding her concern that the people of her city were waiting in long lines to receive testing and her desire to receive more federal support. We promised to connect her with state health and emergency management leaders to remedy her concerns. Today, we delivered on that promise.

 

In our work, FEMA provides support to states for distribution to cities and counties to help people before, during and after disasters. Our response to COVID-19 is no different.

 

We know state and local leaders are best able to direct resources where they are needed. As part of the Administration’s Testing Blueprint initiative, FEMA and HHS have provided over 360,000 swabs and over 380,000 testing media to the state of Arizona for distribution.

 

We have expanded the Community-Based Testing Site program from 41 federally supported, state-managed, locally executed sites to over 600 confirmed and live public-private partnership sites available to all Americans, 75 within the state of Arizona and 19 in Phoenix.

 

The state of Arizona and Mayor Gallego have been innovative in their development of relationships to bring needed testing and PPE to the state. To find a comprehensive list of Arizona testing sites for COVID-19, click here.

 

We are working within our authority to provide technical expertise and available resources to support our states, territories and tribal nations.

 

At the state’s request to help meet demand, we are doubling the testing supplies shipped to Arizona in July. FEMA and HHS are also continuing to provide additional staff for contact tracing to slow the spread and for clinical care in hospitals to help maintain the quality of care for all Arizonans who need to be hospitalized for COVID-19.

 

We know the fight is not over. We are here to help.

 

Every Arizonan has a role to play to protect themselves and others. Please remember to follow your public health guidance to help slow the spread.”

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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. Follow FEMA Region 9 online at twitter.com/femaregion9 or view more news releases at fema.gov/fema-regions/region-ix.

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