Stopping the spread: 10 million COVID tests and counting

Thanks to the help of partners and the formation of valuable relationships, more than 10 million molecular tests for COVID-19 have been conducted in Washington since the start of the pandemic. The DOH Testing Team shipped 600,000 tests in August alone, which was more than the previous six months combined! Nearly the same number of tests were shipped in September.

We are all aware that the delta variant of COVID-19, along with in-person learning at schools and colleges, has dramatically increased demand for testing. In order to meet demand and keep schools and businesses open more safely, DOH’s Testing Team has been creative and collaborative. Some of the approaches:

  • In January 2021, DOH partnered with Walgreens to offer COVID-19 tests at their drive-up windows, at no cost to patients. DOH provides the test supplies and reimburses the cost of administering the tests. The pharmacy chain has delivered more than 326,000 tests so far this year. And that includes 41,000 tests in September 2021 alone.
  • Outreach involving the Washington State Pharmacy Association helped integrate testing into the existing health system’s infrastructure, including independent pharmacies.
  • Working with ambulance providers and fire departments in rural areas to provide testing sites where there are no community testing sites.
  • Implementing Operation Expanded Testing with local health jurisdictions to increase testing capacity for K-8 schools and vulnerable populations based on the Social Vulnerability Index. The program is offered through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Defense Department.
  • Shifting to rapid molecular tests, for results that are comparable to lab-based tests but come back in about 20 minutes, rather than 24 to 72 hours. Lab-based PCR testing isn't as feasible in some areas of the state, particularly those areas away from the I-5 corridor. For example, Pacific County has two Abbot ID Now machines in two pharmacies, one at each end of the county, which provide rapid results for people who previously were struggling to access tests.

These efforts have served to increase equity and contributed to stopping the spread in Washington state.