Arizona has tested fewer people for coronavirus per capita than anywhere else in the nation. How is that possible? How is that acceptable?

The New York Times is ranking Arizona last of the nation’s 50 states in number of tests conducted per capita.

The chart shows Arizona has tested 957 people and reported 577 confirmed cases of coronavirus – or 912 cases according to the state’s March 29 count.

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Arizona Department of Health Services disputed the ranking, saying in a tweet that “more than 10,000 tests have been conducted & counted through private sector labs.”

THE FACTS: More than 10,000 tests have been conducted & counted through private sector labs. The governor issued an executive order implementing enhanced surveillance of private-sector testing, and we are working to add these stats to the site ASAP. https://t.co/Dubo0sfeEy — AZ Dept. of Health (@AZDHS) March 27, 2020

© Tucson Police Department Coronavirus test kit.

There are a range of factors that may skew the numbers, The Times reported, most notably that doctors, labs and government aren’t necessarily releasing all the data.

But Arizona's defense isn't convincing. Yes, there is a huge shortage of test kits across the nation, but how is the state dealing with it?

Stop testing.

Stop testing? That's not a response

How reckless is that? Not knowing how many people have contracted the virus is not a strategy. Anyone can see that, right?

Dr. Cara Christ, the health official leading Arizona's coronavirus response, is urging primary health-care providers not to test most patients for COVID-19.

Christ issued those guidelines Wednesday, saying doctors "should consider removing this diagnostic 'tool' from their toolbox and managing patients with respiratory conditions as if they have COVID-19."

She urged them to “keep working with your commercial vendors for testing, but do not depend on having test results for your management … There is no specific treatment or management strategy (for COVID-19), and results should not change clinical management."

Christ has also pointed out that Arizona might need an additional 13,000 hospital beds and additional 1,500 intensive care units by mid to late April.

No doubt Christ is working around the clock dealing with the pandemic. But stop testing?

And what exactly is Gov. Doug Ducey doing to get more test kits? Or has he really just given up on that?

A lack of data doesn't build trust

Not everyone who wants a test may need one, medically speaking.

But the people have the right to count on their leaders to protect their health and well-being.

Trust is everything.

The public must trust and believe that elected officials and leaders are doing the impossible and acting in people’s best interest.

Not knowing how widespread the coronavirus really is doesn’t help in developing sound strategies to contain it and minimize the financial impact. Choosing not to know only builds anger, frustration and mistrust.

Who’s really looking after Arizonans in this life-threatening crisis? Who can Arizona really trust? Arizonans really want to know.

Elvia Díaz is an editorial columnist for The Republic and azcentral. Reach her at 602-444-8606 or elvia.diaz@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on Twitter, @elviadiaz1.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona ranks last in the nation for coronavirus testing. How is that acceptable?