Drive-through COVID-19 testing will be offered again in Bellingham

Whatcom County Health Department has announced a pilot test of a drive-through COVID-19 testing facility in Bellingham begun last weekend will be extended on Friday, July 17th, and Saturday, July 18th from 9:30am to 3:30pm.

Health Department officials say the pilot site, located in the Civic Field parking lot, was prepared to collect specimens to test about 250 to 300 people per day when it began Friday, July 10th, and Saturday, July 11th, but turnout was higher than anticipated. A total of 793 people, 32% more than the maximum planned for, were tested during the 2 days the site was open. Fewer than 1% of those tested had positive test results officials said.

Reported Residence Location	Count	Percentage of Total Tested
Bellingham	575	73%
Ferndale	58	7%
Lynden	25	3%
Everson/Deming/Sumas	19	2%
Lummi Island	7	1%
Blaine/Custer/Birch Bay	40	5%
Maple Falls	8	1%
Seattle/Bellevue	9	1%
Skagit	8	1%
Other (outside of Whatcom)	38	5%
None Provided	6	1%
TOTAL	793	100%

Data source: Whatcom County Health Department

Age	Count	Percentage of Total Tested
0-17	54	7%
18-29	222	28%
30-49	194	24%
50-64	170	21%
65-79	139	18%
80+	14	2%
TOTAL	793	100%

Data source: Whatcom County Health Department

Test results are made available within 72 hours and last week’s were communicated by Monday, except for those people with incomplete contact information, officials said. Anyone who was tested at the drive-through site and has not receive results are asked to call the Health Department at (360) 778-6100.

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Health Department officials say testing at the drive-through costs nothing.

“Insurance companies are required to waive co-pays and deductibles for anyone being tested for COVID-19. For people without insurance, costs will be covered by a Health Resources and Services Administration program. Additional information about insurance coverage and testing costs are available on our FAQs page.”Whatcom County Health Department (July 2020)