SPOKANE – The Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) has announced it is providing curbside COVID-19 testing at a number of school sites in Spokane.
The testing, which began July 7, will be available Tuesday – Thursday through Aug. 27 from 12:30 – 2: 30 p.m. There is no charge for the tests, but individuals who have insurance are encouraged to seek testing at their primary care provider’s office.
According to a July 2 news release, to be assessed for COVID-19 patients are advised to arrive early at the site as tests are done on a first-come/first-served basis. Patients should remain in their vehicles and wait for an attendant to come to them. A walk-up option is available for those without vehicle.
Patients must wear a mask to the testing site. Those receiving a test will be contacted by SRHD with their results and provided further guidance — including when it is safe to return to work. Testing sites are not able to re-test patients who need documentation to return to work.
The region has seen a sharp increase since Memorial Day in positive cases of the disease carried by the coronavirus, with more hospitalizations taking place in the past two weeks. As of press time on Tuesday, July 6, the health district was reporting 1,730 positive cases in Spokane County — an increase of 676 since June 23.
Up to Memorial Day (May 26) the county had recorded 503 positive cases. Up to Memorial Day (May 26) the county had recorded 503 positive cases. While some of the new cases have been tied to outbreaks at specific locations, Health District officer Dr. Bob Lutz said they are beginning to see more that are not.
“Recent increases in positive cases without an epidemiological link are signals alerting us to potential community-wide spread that could result in increased hospitalizations and hinder our ability to keep our community open,” Lutz said. “If we remain steady with a calibrated, methodical approach to reopen and follow recommended public health measures, then we can continue to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Spokane County.”
West Plains cities have also experienced some of this increase in positive cases. As of July 2, the 99004 zip code (Cheney and surrounding area) had 57 cases compared to 27 on June 23, while Airway Heights had 23, compared to 17 on June 23 and Medical Lake had 15 — seven as of June 23.
Screening locations and dates are as follows:
July 7-9 Holmes Elementary School 2600 W. Sharp Ave.
July 14-16 Audubon Elementary School 2020 W. Carlisle Ave.
July 21-23 Garfield Elementary School 222 W. Knox Ave.
July 28-30 Willard Elementary School 500 W. Longfellow Ave.
Aug. 4-6 Longfellow Elementary School 800 E. Providence Ave.
Aug. 11-13 Logan Elementary School 1001 E. Montgomery Ave.
Aug. 18-20 Bemiss Elementary School 2323 E. Bridgeport Ave.
Aug. 25-27 Sheridan Elementary School 3737 E. Fifth St.
Individuals experiencing cough or shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, or at least two of the following: fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat or new loss of taste or smell should be assessed regardless of age or health status.
Individuals who have been informed that they were in close contact with a confirmed positive case of COVID-19 or who work in a high-risk environment are also encouraged to be assessed for testing.
John McCallum can be reached at jmac@cheneyfreepress.com.
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