FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 21, 2020
CONTACT:
Heather Thomas, 425.508.4980
hthomas@snohd.org
COVID-19 Testing, Data Updates, and New Releases of State Guidance
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. – The Snohomish Health District is continuing testing at 3900 Broadway in Everett, in the large parking lot near Everett Memorial Stadium.
The entrance for testing is off of Broadway, following signage and cones. There have been continued issues with people trying to access other entrances, or approaching staff in the Community Resource Center for questions. Testing cannot be accessed off of 41st Street.
For the week of August 24, the schedule is as follows:
- Monday, August 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Tuesday, August 25 from noon to 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, August 26 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Thursday, August 27 from noon to 7 p.m.
- Friday, August 28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
COVID-19 testing is available to anyone, and strongly encouraged for individuals that fit the following criteria:
- Anyone with any of the following COVID-19 symptoms (fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headaches, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea),
- Close contact of a confirmed case,
- Anyone who lives or works in a congregate setting,
- Work in healthcare, EMS, law enforcement or other fields where work settings have a higher risk of catching or spreading COVID-19, or
- Part of a family or social network that has had a case.
Registration is now open at www.snohd.org/drive-thru-testing. Insurance information is collected and the lab will bill insurance. There are no co-pays for COVID-19 testing. If you do not have insurance, the test will be provided at no charge.
Data Updates and COVID Activity Snapshot
The Health District is providing updates Monday-Friday of total confirmed, total probable, and a breakdown of cases by city. A weekly report is now being posted on Mondays, providing a more detailed analysis of cases in Snohomish County from the prior week.
The report for the week ending August 8 has been posted, as well as the updated COVID activity snapshot that provides metrics aligned with the Phase 2 approval. There continues to be a slight decrease in overall transmission, which is encouraging.
Monday’s update to the rolling 2-week case rate incorporated updated population estimates released from the state’s Office of Financial Management. Their release last month shows the population for Snohomish County increasing from 818,700 to 830,500. This higher population count contributed only minimally to the observed decrease in the 2-week case rate, which was primarily driven by reduced case reports.
As a reminder, countywide data is available through an interactive dashboard from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) online at www.snohd.org/524/COVID-19-Data-Dashboard. Additional information also is available through DOH’s Risk Assessment Dashboard at https://coronavirus.wa.gov/what-you-need-know/covid-19-risk-assessment-dashboard.
New and Updated Guidance
Yesterday Governor Inslee announced new and updated guidance as part of Washington’s Safe Start phased reopening plan, including:
- Museums: These guidelines would allow museums in Phase 2 counties to operate as long as they meet certain requirements. Read the full guidance here.
- Bowling: These guidelines would allow for bowling league play in Phases 2 and 3, as long as facilities meet certain requirements. Read the full guidance here.
- Agritourism: This guidance would allow for agritourism such as U-pick farms and tree farms to operate in Phase 2 counties. Read the full guidance here. Read the attached memo here.
- Outdoor Recreation: Updates to the outdoor recreation guidance clarify restrictions to non-spectator motor-sports in Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Safe Start plan. These changes go into effect on August 24. Read the full updated guidance here.
The community is encouraged to help prevent the spread of illness and to support the response to this outbreak by staying informed and sharing reliable information. This is a very fluid situation and information will be updated at www.snohd.org/ncov2019 and the Health District’s social media channels.
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