COVID-19 testing in Washington gets boost from organizations, volunteers

Increasing the availability and accessibility of COVID-19 testing across Washington state continues to be a challenge. However, the Washington State Department of Health is making progress thanks to the help of several organizations, volunteers, and health practitioners.

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Two mobile teams from Medical Teams International, a Seattle-based nonprofit, are supporting community testing efforts in Benton, Franklin, and Yakima counties. The mobile clinics can be rapidly deployed to areas experiencing an outbreak, whether that’s at a business or in a particular neighborhood. At last count, the two mobile teams were averaging 600 tests per day.

“We are so grateful for the work being done by Medical Teams International, especially in parts of the state that need the most help,” said Dr. Charissa Fotinos, deputy director of the Washington State Health Care Authority and the state’s leader on COVID-19 testing. “MTI has been and will continue to be helpful in providing an initial surge in testing while longer-term, sustainable community resources can be identified for ongoing testing.”

Health Commons, a member-owned nonprofit that helps coordinate care within the health system, is also serving as a vital testing resource.

Seattle Fire, a founding member of Health Commons, has partnered with the City of Seattle, King County Public Health, and UW Medicine to build high-capacity test sites in King County that have the ability to conduct about 5,000 tests per day.

The DOH is supporting Health Commons and its members to hopefully take the success of King County and replicate it across Washington, starting with the Benton-Franklin Health District and Yakima Health District.

The Department of Health says these “efforts to train local service providers to operate high-volume testing sites will keep the skills and jobs local and thus build sustainable testing capacity in the communities that need it the most.”

“We hope this approach to testing will be the foundation for a more comprehensive response going forward. This training for first responders now can lead to even more success later,” Dr. Fotinos said.

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The challenges of testing have led to creative solutions and partnerships with organizations to increase the access to COVID-19 tests in all parts of the state. As fall approaches, the goal is to increase testing availability and increase the number of people requesting tests statewide.

Depending on where you live, the available testing options will vary. You may have nearby community-based testing sites, local clinics, or drive-through sites. Make an appointment through your medical provider.

If you live in Seattle, register for a test online here at one of the four free sites, no insurance required — two drive-through, two walk-up. For King County residents, there’s a full list of testing sites online here, which provide free COVID-19 testing regardless of immigration or insurance status. The county is also opening two free testing sites in south King County over the next two weeks with drive-through sites in Renton and Auburn.