Arizona Republic/Pool

Arizona Department of Health Services Director Dr. Cara Christ speaks at a press conference on May 12, 2020 in Phoenix.

At a press conference Tuesday, Arizona Department of Health Services Director Dr. Cara Christ announced the state would increase the testing of correctional officers and inmates for COVID-19.

Christ said current symptomatic correctional officers are tested and must be medically cleared to return to a facility to work. She said inmates with COVID-like symptoms are also tested.

Moving forward, Christ said the state health department would work with the University of Arizona to get antibody testing for all correctional officers.

“And then we will also be working with our correctional facilities to have epidemiologists go out and provide on-site technical assistance on infection control,” she said.

Christ said her department will be making sure that CDC guidelines are being implemented in the prisons and provide assistance.

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