Washington Flocks To Testing Sites As Coronavirus Cases Skyrocket
SEATTLE — Many counties are expanding access to free testing amid a persistent surge in coronavirus illness across Washington. On Thursday, the Washington State Department of Health added nearly 2,000 lab-confirmed cases and 11 new deaths. More than a quarter of that total was recorded in King County.
In recent days, some testing facilities have reported long lines and wait times above an hour, especially around Seattle and Renton. On Wednesday, Public Health Seattle & King County announced Renton's test site would temporarily operate by appointment only due to increased demand, and city officials put new traffic controls in place to funnel in long lines of vehicles.
Seattle's four testing facilities have seen a dramatic rise in demand at both walk-up and drive-thru sites, and in Puyallup, dozens of cars lined up Thursday morning, hours before the clinic opened.
Public health officials said a new free testing site would open in Des Moines Friday morning to boost access to testing in South King County, which continues to be disproportionately impacted by the virus. The walk-up site at Highline Communitty College will join neighboring options in Renton, Auburn, Tukwila and Federal Way.
-more-
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/washington-flocks-to-testing-sites-as-coronavirus-cases-skyrocket/ar-BB1bbvFm?ocid=hplocalnews
