Here’s who was tested at COVID-19 drive-thru in Whatcom County
People turned out in even higher numbers for the second week of a pilot COVID-19 drive-thru testing program at Bellingham’s Civic Stadium organized by the Whatcom County Health Department and Whatcom Unified Command.
The health department reported 1,021 people turned out to be tested for coronavirus at no cost and without an appointment or a healthcare professional’s referral during the second week of the pilot program Friday and Saturday, July 17-18 — nearly a 29% increase from the 793 tested during the first week July 10-11.
A total of 1,814 people were tested over the four days of testing — well above the 300 per day average officials originally said they were expecting.
“We are learning from this testing process and working with Whatcom Unified Command to determine the best strategy for expanding testing capacity in Whatcom County,” a health department release announcing the numbers said Monday evening, July 20. “More information will be available later this week.”
As was the case after the first weekend, the health department said the testing yielded approximately 1% positive results — meaning approximately 18 people tested positive during the pilot program. Overall, Whatcom County is seeing a 2.9% positive rate, according to data released Monday afternoon by the Washington State Department of Health.
Everyone who had a test run has been contacted with their results except for those who had missing contact information, according to the release. Anyone still awaiting results should call 360-778-6100 or email Health_TestingCOVID19@co.whatcom.wa.us.
Among other highlights shown by early results, the health department reported:
▪ 29.3% of those tested were between the ages of 19 and 29, while another 25.4% were between 30 and 49 — age groups that have seen the highest infection rates in Whatcom County. Those between 50 and 64 accounted for 18.8% of the tests, while 65-79 represented 16.1%.
▪ Approximately 70% of those tested reported they lived in Bellingham, while only 7.7% of those tested were from outside Whatcom County. People from Ferndale accounted for 7.4% of those tested, while Lynden residents accounted for 3.7% and the Blaine/Custer/Birch Bay area was 4.9%.
▪ 86% of those tested reported having health insurance.
▪ 33.5% of those tested said they have a healthcare provider.
▪ 11.3% of those tested said they were in close contact with a confirmed coronavirus case.
▪ 23.7% of those tested reported they had symptoms associated with COVID-19 but had not been in close contact with a confirmed case.
▪ 64.5% of those tested wanted to be tested for screening purposes only.
The health department release reminded Whatcom County residents that testing is free to everyone, with or without insurance, but the easiest way to get tested is to get a referral from your primary care provider.
Bellingham’s Northwest Labs offers drive-thru testing by appointment with a doctor’s referral, and appointments can usually be made within 24 hours. Those without a primary care provider should contact their insurance company, the release stated.
SeaMar Community Health Center is also providing testing to all community members, and more information about Whatcom County testing options is available on the health department’s testing page.
This story was originally published July 21, 2020 at 8:19 AM.
