Additional COVID testing site, expanded options coming to Seattle

There is now another Curative COVID-19 testing kiosk in Seattle, and soon, there will be expanded capacity at other Curative sites, as well as a new type of rapid PCR test as demand for tests remains high.

Free COVID-19 tests now available for all US households

As cases of the omicron variant of COVID-19 continue to impact Seattle, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced “new and improved” testing options opening in January.

Part of those options is a new Curative testing kiosk opening Wednesday, Jan. 19, at Seattle Pacific University. It will be open Monday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Existing Curative sites at the Paramount Theatre, Convention Center, and Garfield Playfield will also be increasing their capacity, while adding a new type of rapid PCR test “to deliver faster results” later this month. Rapid PCR tests, as a news release from the city explains, detect viral RNA, “which is a more direct and sensitive measure of detection, leading to higher accuracy of test within two hours.”

“As the Omicron variant continues to surge in our community and around the country so has demand for COVID-19 testing,” Harrell said in a written release. “We know that testing – along with vaccines, masks, and social distancing – is key to tackling this pandemic, which is why Seattle is launching a new testing site and swifter tests through our partnership with Curative.”

King County COVID cases finally trending down, but ‘we’re not out of the woods yet’

The city urges residents to only use testing locations verified by the city, county, or state.

In Seattle, testing sites include fixed locations with UW Medicine and Curative kiosks throughout the city. Appointments are strongly encouraged, and some are limiting appointments to those with COVID symptoms or a known exposure. Due to a increase in testing volumes, expect a longer wait time.

Find more information on COVID testing in Seattle here.

Follow @http://twitter.com/Mynorthwest