As others struggle, this is how Whatcom County can offer rapid COVID-19 test results
Northwest Laboratory in Bellingham has increased its coronavirus testing capacity about five-fold since it started testing in March and has maintained a 24-hour turnaround while other labs across the country are seeing delays.
The lab could initially test up to about 5,000 specimens a day, said Chief Operating Officer Jenny Bull. The lab has since expanded to test up to about 25,000 specimens a day and has completed at least 255,685 coronavirus tests in total. Bull added the lab is currently operating at about half capacity on average but expects to be running at full capacity by early August based on the number of clients they have lined up.
“We’ll get pushes from drive-thrus or different testing (sites) throughout the state or places out (of state),” Bull said. “But we anticipate we’re going to be running pretty much higher volumes here within the next two to three weeks based on some of the projects that we’re working on.”
Bull said the lab has partnered with all clinics in Whatcom County. However, demand at the lab varies widely from day to day and the total test count includes clients from outside the county and even the state, Bull said.
Northwest Laboratory became one of three labs testing for the coronavirus in Washington state when it initially earned its validation on March 28. Since then, more labs have opened across the state, making it one of at least 25, according to the Washington State Department of Health.
Still, the lab’s large testing capacity means it is working with other labs to meet demand across the nation, Bull said. Such demand has gradually increased since the start of the pandemic as more cities and counties expanded testing and opened low-barrier testing sites. Bull added some labs with supply chain issues, or an overwhelming number of specimens, have asked Northwest for help.
“What’s happening right now is some of the major national labs are struggling with turnaround time because of testing volume,” Bull said. “There’s just been more testing happening across the U.S. so your Quest (Diagnostics) and your LabCorp are getting inundated.”
Bull added Quest has asked Northwest Laboratory to complete about 10,000 tests a day for them because of its backlog. The delays have caused some people to get their results several days after getting tested, making it difficult for them to decide whether to quarantine, according to the Seattle Times.
However, Northwest Laboratory is still committed to meeting local demand, Bull said. The lab recently partnered with the Whatcom County Health Department to test specimens collected at the county’s low-barrier drive-thru testing site.
“Our priorities have always been our clients and our patients here in Whatcom County and in Washington state so we’re pretty excited to be able to provide the testing in the community,” Bull said.
The county’s pilot site at the Civic Athletic Complex parking lot opened July 10 and 11 and served 793 people without requiring a doctor’s order. The county will open the site again for two days on July 17 and 18 between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Those who visit the test site can expect their results within 72 hours.
Although Northwest Laboratory has a 24-hour turnaround time, the Whatcom County Health Department needs additional time to share the results with the hundreds of people who visited their test site, said Whatcom Unified Command public information officer Amy Cloud in an emailed statement. They also prioritize informing those who test positive, Cloud added.
To increase testing capacity, Northwest Laboratory has brought in more than 150 additional local workers and added more space to their lease, Bull said. Additionally, the lab operates its own drive-thru test site from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day that usually serves about 200 people a day. However, they require a doctor’s order and appointment.
The lab also has a rapid testing instrument with a 45-minute turnaround, however, this instrument is reserved for emergencies, such as same-day surgeries, due to supply constraints.
Cloud said the Whatcom County Health Department continues to use all labs options available to them but has had the majority of its tests are completed by Northwest Laboratory. Cloud added the department has not had any concerns about local testing capacity so far.
“NW Labs has been an outstanding partner,” Cloud said in an email. “They’ve been adaptive and responsive each time we’ve reached out to them.”
Northwest Laboratory is now seeking federal approval to conduct coronavirus tests with saliva rather than the current method that involves a swab being inserted in each nostril.
“We’re working to validate saliva as a collection method, which would hopefully make testing, a little easier and more available to folks,” Bull said. “So far it looks good starting, but we probably won’t finish that study for a few weeks.”
This story was originally published July 17, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
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