Arizona university expands saliva testing

Arizona health officials are expanding coronavirus testing in high need communities through a new saliva test.

The Arizona Department of Health Services and Arizona State University announced a new partnership to increase COVID-19 diagnostic testing in Arizona.

In May, ASU's Biodesign Institute developed the first saliva based test in the state. They say it makes diagnostic testing easier, faster and more readily available to the residents of Arizona.

Results are typically available within 48 hours of testing.

The state health department has committed up to 12.7 million US dollars to fund the expansion of testing sites to serve up to 100,000 Arizonans in high-need and underserved communities around the state.

Joshua LaBaer is the executive director of the Biodesign Institute. He says they are targeting underserved communities who aren't getting a lot of medical care. He says by getting those communities tested quickly, it can help stop the spread of the virus.