*Updated 10:57 a.m March 23, 2020, to revise map
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2020
CONTACT: Heather Thomas, 425.339.8688
hthomas@snohd.org
New Drive-thru COVID-19 Testing Option in Snohomish County
Health District opens appointment-only testing for priority workforce, high-risk residents
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
Monday, March 23, 1-2 p.m. ONLY
3900 Broadway, Everett (see aerial at the end of this release)
Media set up must be complete by 1 p.m.
Break-down must be complete by 2 p.m.
RSVP: Email names of all staff attending to eccjic.activation@snoco.org by 9 a.m., Monday, March 23.
See “Media Guidelines” at the end of the press release.
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. – High-risk Snohomish County residents with symptoms of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), including those who work in healthcare, public safety or critical infrastructure, now have another option for free testing.
Testing is by appointment only. People who do not have symptoms or do not meet the criteria will not be eligible for testing appointments.
This community based drive-thru testing site is being coordinated by the Snohomish Health District and the Medical Reserve Corps, in partnership with the City of Everett, Everett Public Schools, CHC of Snohomish County, Everett Clinic, Providence Medical Group, Swedish Medical Group, Tulalip Tribes, and Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management.
The testing supplies and laboratory services are made possible by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Eligibility criteria
Only those that meet the criteria below will be eligible to register for testing appointment:
Experiencing symptoms (cough, fever of at least 100.4, sore throat and/or shortness of breath)
AND
Working in healthcare, public safety, or critical infrastructure like grocery stores, restaurants, shelters, gas stations, public utilities, child care, or correctional facilities OR
60 years of age or older OR
Someone with underlying medical conditions or a weakened immune system OR
Currently pregnant.
This testing option is not meant to replace or eliminate other testing avenues offered by many local healthcare providers. The goal is to supplement those options in order to ease some of the pressure on the existing system. People still should contact their medical provider for guidance and assessment if they have symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat and/or shortness of breath. For medical emergencies, they should call 911 and notify the dispatch personnel that you may have COVID-19.
Registration and appointment process
A website has been set up at https://redcap.link/Snohomish-COVID-19 where people will be asked a series of screening questions and, if they meet testing criteria, will be given an appointment time and a testing identifier number. If there are multiple people who will be coming in the same vehicle to be tested, each of them needs to answer the questions and get an individual number. Instructions on how to register are available here.
Individuals must have an appointment, a testing identifier number and photo ID ready when arriving at the testing site. Results should be available 3-5 days after testing and people will be notified by phone call or text message.
Testing will be in the large parking lot near Everett Memorial Stadium at 3900 Broadway. Vehicles will enter going southbound on Broadway. People who are being tested should arrive 15 minutes before their appointment, and they will remain in their cars the entire time.
Appointments will be opened for one week at a time. For the week of March 23, testing appointments will be Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with appointments in 15-minute time slots. The Health District initially expects to test 180-200 people each day, but hopes to expand days and/or hours soon.
More information also is available at www.snohd.org/drive-thru-testing. The Health District also published an expanded blog on the topic, which is available online and through social media.
Complaints about businesses/organizations not following the Health Officer’s Order
Local law enforcement and 911 dispatch are fielding a number of calls from the community sharing information about businesses or gatherings that are in violation of the Governor’s special order or the local Health Officer’s Order from Dr. Spitters.
Please do not call 911 or police to report these. Concerns about violations can be emailed to the Snohomish Health District at EHQuestions@snohd.org. For callers who don’t have access to email, they can call 425.339.5250. Calls will be answered Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The health and safety of Snohomish County remains the Health District’s top priority. The community is encouraged to help prevent the spread of illness and to support the response to this outbreak by staying informed and sharing reliable information. This is a very fluid situation and information will be updated at www.snohd.org/ncov2019 and the Health District’s social media channels.
MEDIA GUIDELINES
To protect patient privacy and protect you from potential exposure:
Park in media parking area designated on the map. No media access at the patient entrance at 39th Street and Broadway.
Stay in the MEDIA ZONE designated on the map.
Do not enter the TESTING AREA.
Do not display license plates to protect patient privacy.
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