Anyone who thinks they could be infected with COVID-19 or who has been exposed to it can now get tested, the Arizona Department of Health Services said Thursday.

Previously, only people who were considered high-risk or those with certain symptoms, such as a fever or respiratory symptoms, could get a test.

For many weeks, people have reported not being able to get tested despite having symptoms and going to multiple health care providers. Testing capability was also impacted by supply chain issues like a lack of nasal swabs and test collection materials, and needed personal protective equipment for the workers who administer the tests.

At one point, the state health department issued guidance discouraging testing because of a lack of supplies. Health care providers "should consider removing this diagnostic 'tool' from their toolbox and managing patients with respiratory conditions as if they have COVID-19," Dr. Cara Christ, the department's director, said on March 25.

Because of the lack of testing, the case numbers in Arizona and across the country are likely much higher than has been officially recorded. Arizona has 5,769 identified cases as of Thursday, with 249 known deaths. Testing has largely occurred through private labs, not the state lab. These private labs have conducted 58,750 tests so far.

In a blog post on the ADHS website, Christ said labs across the state have additional capacity to now manage more testing.

"Laboratories like Sonora Quest, Arizona State University, and Mayo Clinic have indicated they have the ability to run more tests, and we are fortunate to have partners like them in our community," Christ wrote.

There was also a shortage of personal protective equipment and test collection materials, including nasal swabs, that was limiting testing capability. These labs now say they are able to get the needed supplies to do more tests because the supply chain issues are improving.

The department updated its standing testing order to reflect the expanded criteria for testing.

The department also said it has partnered with labs like Sonora Quest, TGen and the University of Arizona to provide funding that will allow them to increase their lab capacity.

Messaging has gone out to labs statewide to remove testing restrictions if adequate testing and PPE supplies are available.

Here's a list of locations around Arizona that are testing people for COVID-19.

Reach reporter Rachel Leingang by email at rachel.leingang@gannett.com or by phone at 602-444-8157, or find her on Twitter and Facebook.

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