FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Brenda Crissman
Public Information Officer
Wickenburg Community Hospital brenda.crissman@wickhosp.com
928-684-3219
WICKENBURG, AZ (May 26, 2020) – Wickenburg Community Hospital (WCH) is pleased to participate as an official test site for the University of Arizona – State of Arizona COVID-19 Antibody Testing Initiative.
The University of Arizona (U of A) is currently analyzing blood samples for hundreds of thousands of Arizonans to determine who has been exposed to the virus that caused COVID-19 and has developed antibodies against it. The State of Arizona is providing $3.5 million to test 250,000 health care workers and first responders throughout Arizona.
“Wickenburg Community Hospital was honored to have been chosen by the University of Arizona as a test site for this innovative antibody testing initiative,” said Jim Tavary, WCH President and CEO. “Because of our association with the U of A, hundreds of local area health care workers and first responders will have the peace of mind knowing whether or not they’ve ever been exposed to the novel coronavirus.”
First phase testing began April 30th in Pima County and included 3,000 health care workers and first responders. “The antibody test results and guidance for interpretation will be directly reported to individuals undergoing the test and the de-identified aggregated data will be made available to the public,” said Linda Rankin, Chief Nurse Officer and lead for the antibody testing at WCH. “The antibody tests will help us determine who has been exposed to the virus. It is assumed that many people who have been exposed to the virus have never developed symptoms.”
If you are a health care worker or a first responder and would like to be tested for free, please register at https://covid19antibodytesting.arizona.edu/. Wickenburg Community Hospital test site is located under Yavapai County tab.
For more information about COVID-19 and Wickenburg Community Hospital and Clinics please visit wickhosp.com/coronavirus-news/
**Attached picture: Three WCH nurses intricately involved in covid-19 antibody testing. From left to right: Karen Smith RN, Infection Prevention Manager, Jacque Valenta RN, Quality and Risk Manager, Lee Ann Campbell RN, Clinical Educator
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