PHOENIX — The Phoenix City Council learned today ASU will test all of Phoenix's first responders, at no cost to the city, for the COVID-19 virus.

ASU says police and firefighters are some of the most high risk populations within the community.

"They've indicated by testing this population, we would get ins into how far COVID-19 has penetrated Phoenix, Arizona," Assistant City Manager Milton Dohoney said.

Earlier this month, the Phoenix Fire Department reported it responded to 675 calls where COVID was suspected. 311 of those encounters resulted in the patient being transported to the hospital.

The police and fire chiefs both support the idea of testing. So do the organizations which represent police and firefighters. The testing is voluntary. Each test costs a $100.

That fee will be paid by a philanthropic arm of the University. Dohoney told City Council members meeting remotely today that once some details are worked out the COVID-19 testing will get started.