Washington Flocks To Testing Sites As Coronavirus Cases Skyrocket

SEATTLE — Some Washington counties are expanding access to free testing amid a persistent surge in coronavirus illness and high traffic at existing sites. On Thursday, the Washington State Department of Health added nearly 2,000 lab-confirmed cases and 11 new deaths. More than a quarter of that total was recorded in King County.

In recent days, some testing facilities have reported long lines and wait times above an hour, especially around Seattle and Renton. On Wednesday, Public Health Seattle & King County announced Renton's test site would temporarily operate by appointment only due to increased demand, and city officials put new traffic controls in place to funnel in long lines of vehicles.

Seattle's four testing facilities have seen a dramatic rise in demand at both walk-up and drive-thru sites, and in Puyallup, dozens of cars lined up Thursday morning, hours before the clinic opened.

Public health officials said a new free testing site would open in Des Moines Friday morning to boost access to testing in South King County, which continues to be disproportionately impacted by the virus. The walk-up site at Highline Communitty College will join neighboring options in Renton, Auburn, Tukwila and Federal Way.

New testing site in King County:

• Where: Highline Community College
  • 2402 S. 240th St, Des Moines (South Parking Lot)
  • Testing is provided at a walk-up tent.
  • Free parking is available, as well as access to the 156 bus line.
• When: Monday - Saturday (9:30 am - 5:30 pm)
  • Opening Friday, Nov. 20.
• Registration is encouraged but not required. More information can be found on the CHI Franciscan website.

In Pierce County, the health department has dozens of mobile testing events on the calendar, in addition to permanent locations in Puyallup, University Place, Gig Harbor, Tacoma, Spanaway and Lakewood.

Testing is not an effective safeguard for Thanksgiving plans, officals say

The spike in demand comes as state and county health officials have shared repeated warnings on coronavirus transmission heading toward the Thanksgiving holiday and urged Washingtonians to limit celebrations to only those who live in their homes.

While the state said Wednesday that its testing supplies and processing capabilities had not encountered a bottleneck yet, there were already reports from many testing facilities overrun with people without symptoms seeking a bill of clean health for the holidays. Unfortunately, officials said testing provides little assurance in that regard.

"I think the important thing to remember...is that testing tells you whether or not the virus is detected on that day," said Dr. Charissa Fotinos, who leads testing efforts statewide. "It doesn't mean that, in a day or two, if you were exposed a week ago that you won't develop symptoms and become infectious."

Fotinos said, in an ideal world, they would want everyone to get tested to get a better picture of the virus's spread. But with a "finite capacity" right now, the state recommends only people with symptoms, known or suspected exposures to COVID-19 patients, and people living or working in congregate settings, like skilled nursing facilities, seek testing.

"We're asking a lot from people," Fotinos said. "We're asking people to forgo their holiday plans, to stay away from their friends and family, and really right now, to reserve tests for people who have symptoms and who are close contacts...but not to get an 'it's okay to go out and about safety check.'"

Related: Washington Sees Fastest Coronavirus Growth Since March: Report

Earlier in the week, Gov. Jay Inslee signed an executive order mandating new restrictions for four weeks, barring indoor social gatherings with anyone outside the household without completing a 14-day quarantine, or a weeklong quarantine and a negative test result within 48 hours.

The governor and public health officials have cautioned against participating in any Thanksgiving celebrations that include people outside the immediate household to prevent another spike in cases that could soon overwhelm the state's health care system.

On Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its travel guidance, asking all Americans to skip holiday trips, as the United States continues to break daily records for new cases and hospitalizations and approaches death totals not seen for months.

Helpful links for COVID-19 testing:

• COVID-19 testing locations in Washington
• Free testing options in King County
• Mobile, drive-thru and walk-up testing in Pierce County