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% 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%
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.
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)
Anyone can get tested for COVID-19 at the drive-through site. No appointments are offered.
Anyone interested in being tested this Friday and Saturday can find more information and directions from the Health Department by clicking here.