FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2, 2020
CONTACT:
Heather Thomas, 425.508.4980
hthomas@snohd.org
Drive-Thru Testing, Information for Employers and Employees
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. – The Snohomish Health District will continue drive-thru testing at the 3900 Broadway site in Everett next week, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday thru Friday. With daylight hours decreasing, and testing volumes seen earlier in the day, the Health District will no longer be offering evening testing appointments.
In addition to the Everett site, the Health District will also be offering testing at the Lynnwood Food Bank on Tuesday, October 6. Appointments will be available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 5320 176th St SW.
For a step-by-step look at the Health District’s drive-thru testing, check out a new video release this week: https://youtu.be/5tmSEPt5Nis
Testing remains strongly encouraged for individuals that fit the following criteria:
- Anyone with any of the following COVID-19 symptoms (fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headaches, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea); or
- Close contact of a confirmed case; or
- Anyone who lives or works in a congregate setting; or
- Work in healthcare, EMS, law enforcement or other fields where work settings have a higher risk of catching or spreading COVID-19; or
- Part of a family or social network that has had a case.
Registration is now open at www.snohd.org/testing. Insurance information is collected and the lab will bill insurance. There are no co-pays for COVID-19 testing through the Health District. If you do not have insurance, the test will be provided at no charge.
A new phone line has been established for test registration help, particularly those without internet access or needing language interpreter services. That number is 425.258.8425, with calls returned from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday. This number is not for checking on test results.
COVID-19 Updates for Employees and Employers
Workplaces are doing things differently during the coronavirus pandemic to prevent the spread of illness. It can be confusing and frustrating at times for workers as well as supervisors and business owners.
There have been cases of COVID-19 in workplaces in Snohomish County, and there will be more as businesses reopen or expand operations. The Health District’s business and employer response team have worked with more than 80 employers on COVID-19 outbreaks, plus dozens more on single cases and implementation of workplace precautions. More people going back to work means more in-person contact, which is how this disease spreads.
Creating safe and healthy workplaces is crucial if we want to increase and sustain economic activity during the pandemic. However, even with best efforts, cases can happen. This disease is good at getting around.
The Health District published a new blog with important information and resources for both businesses and employees. Topics include:
- Employer notification and contact tracing;
- For employees, what happens if they get sick and don’t have enough leave or are told they need to be at work;
- When an employee can return to work after testing positive for COVID-19, or after being quarantined as a close contact;
- Employers looking at how to provide child care or learning centers for their employees’ families; and
- How employers can keep employees safe while still being able to run a business.
There is also a new FAQ with common questions that their employer notification team gets. The Health District has a number of other resources available on their Businesses & Organizations page.
#ShowYouCare Video
By taking steps to help prevent the spread of illness, we help protect those around us. These actions also help protect the healthcare professionals, first responders, and frontline workers dedicated to taking care of us. To help encourage residents to thank these essential workers by doing their part to keep Snohomish County healthy, the Health District created a video and other materials that will be circulating around the community.
Thanks to the partners at Community Health Centers of Snohomish County, EvergreenHealth Monroe, Providence Regional Medical Center Everett, SeaMar Community Health Center, Snohomish County Fire District #7, Community Transit, Sno-Isle Libraries, South County Fire and Marysville Fire District for sharing important messages.
New Information and Updates from the State
A few state agencies released additional information and updates this week:
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/covid and the Health District’s social media channels.
##END##