FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 9, 2020                     

Media Contact:                      Amy Cloud, Public Information Officer

Phone:                                    (360) 318 - 4356

E-mail address:                     WUC_JIC@co.whatcom.wa.us
                                               

New, low-barrier COVID-19 Testing Facility opens July 10 and 11:
Pilot organized by County Health Department and Whatcom Unified Command

BELLINGHAM, WA – Tomorrow, Friday, July 10, the Whatcom County Health Department (WCHD) and Whatcom Unified Command (WUC) will open a low-barrier COVID-19 drive-through testing facility in the east side of the Civic Field Stadium parking lot in Bellingham. During this pilot phase, testing will be available Friday and Saturday, July 10 and 11 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Anyone can get tested for COVID-19 at the new drive-through site. During this pilot, no appointments will be scheduled. To be tested, enter the Civic Athletic Complex on Puget Street via Fraser St. You will be instructed where to drive. Do not exit your vehicle, and follow all instructions at the site to ensure the safety of workers, volunteers, and others seeking testing. Please be prepared to wait in line. No public restrooms are available at the site.

Individuals seeking testing should bring personal identification and their insurance card. People without insurance may also be tested, and the cost will be covered by a Health Resources and Services Administration program. Individuals who do not have a form of identification may also be tested. Personal information is used for the purpose of communicating with individuals about their test results. 

WCHD and WUC have prepared to test about 250-300 people per day at the pilot site. Tests will be processed by Northwest Laboratory within 24 hours and results will be shared with individuals within 24-72 hours, with priority on notifying individuals who have tested positive.

The testing site is staffed utilizing WCHD staff and volunteers organized through WUC. Medically trained volunteers from the Medical Reserve Corps will assist with testing processes, with additional WUC volunteers performing other essential duties. 

The City of Bellingham is providing the space at Civic Athletic Complex for this site. 

Following the two days of testing, WCHD and WUC will assess the testing process and refine with additional planning for an ongoing low-barrier, drive-through testing site. More information about the drive-through testing site is available at https://www.whatcomcounty.us/covidtesting.

This information is also available as a .pdf

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