As the economy starts to reopen, COVID-19 testing of workers now available in Whatcom
In what is expected to be a crucial step to fully reopening Whatcom’s economy, a local lab is now offering COVID-19 testing services for workers.
The Regional Economic Partnership at the Port of Bellingham announced that Northwest Laboratory is now providing the testing services at the request of companies, including testing workers that are not showing symptoms.
The lab started testing Whatcom County residents ordered by physicians at the end of March and has been ramping up its services since then.
“As the economy begins to reopen, protecting the health of our community is everyone’s top priority,” said Don Goldberg, director of the Regional Economic Partnership, in a news release. “Building a strong and sustainable economy is absolutely dependent on our business community taking proactive steps to prevent a spike in COVID infections, including making testing widely available and accessible to all.”
After a company requests testing, the workers of that business can then schedule an appointment for the Bellingham drive-thru collection center. The worker will fill out a form for a telemedicine company with providers who can order the test and follow up with individual results. Test results are available within 24 hours. For more information email Covid19info@nwlaboratory.com.
Employers may decide to cover the cost of the testing or could also elect to have the employees’ insurance billed for the test, said Dr. Kelly Lloyd of Northwest Laboratory in an email.
Lloyd said the lab currently has between 80-100 collections a day and is slightly less busy on the weekend. Collections are done 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m.–1 p.m. on the weekend.
As a laboratory, Lloyd said they are focused on performing adequate collections and quality testing and are not in the position to recommend guidelines or protocols for testing of employees.
“We are hopeful that there will be more state or industry-specific guidelines available soon,” Lloyd said.
The Safe Start Washington proclamation was issued by Gov. Jay Inslee and public health officials on Monday, May 4, in order to resume and reopen recreational, social and business activities using a four-phased approach. In all phases, businesses can’t reopen unless they meet the safety criteria.
This story was originally published May 13, 2020 at 12:51 PM.
