Community low barrier testing for COVID-19, which has been provided by the Whatcom County Health Department (WCHD) and Whatcom Unified Command (WUC) at several locations throughout Whatcom County, will soon take place at one location. 

Between Nov. 25 and Nov. 30, the WUC/WCHD testing site will vary between the Fairgrounds and existing sites according to the following schedule:

• Wednesday, Nov. 25: 9 am-12 pm at the Nooksack Casino parking lot in Deming 1-4 pm at the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds in Lynden

• Thursday, Nov. 26: No testing

• Friday, Nov. 27: 12-3 pm and 4-7 pm at the Fairgrounds in Lynden

• Saturday, Nov. 28: 9 am-12 pm and 1-4 pm at Civic Field parking lot in Bellingham

• Monday, Nov. 30: 9 am-12 pm and 1-4 pm at Civic Field parking lot in Bellingham

Beginning Tuesday, Dec. 1, all WCHD/WUC testing will be at the fairgrounds site:

• Mondays, 9 am-12 pm and 1 pm-4 pm

• Tuesdays, 9 am-12 pm and 1 pm-4 pm

• Wednesdays, 12 pm-3 pm and 4 pm-7 pm

• Thursdays closed

• Fridays, 12 pm-3 pm and 4 pm-7 pm

• Saturdays, 9 am-12 pm and 1 pm-4 pm

• Sundays closed

Why is mobile testing changing?

Consolidating locations is being done to ensure that testing can continue through winter weather conditions. The mobile testing that began in August has been at locations that don’t allow for a structure that could provide coverage from wind or rain. In order to protect those being tested, as well as the staff and volunteers who perform the tests, we’ve secured a location that allows us to perform testing indoors. The new location was chosen to be easy to reach by vehicle and accessible by bus.

“We know that COVID-19 will be with us for some time - and ongoing testing will be needed even once a vaccine is available in our community,” said Erika Lautenbach, Whatcom County Health Director. “That’s why it is so important to have this new testing location established for the seasons to come, as it will be safe and accessible regardless of the variations in weather we can expect to experience from late fall through early spring.”

How do I schedule an appointment?

Community members may schedule testing appointments online via www.TestDirectly.com/whatcom or by calling the Test Access Scheduling line, (360) 778-6075 between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays.

For any updates to the testing schedule or locations, please monitor this website, whatcomcounty.us/covidtesting, or the Health Department Facebook page.