Coronavirus testing for high-risk patients and critical service providers expanding in Pierce County
Coronavirus testing is becoming more available in Pierce County for people who meet certain criteria, including health care workers showing COVID-19 symptoms.
The CHI Franciscan health system now can test for coronavirus at its triage centers across the region, and the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department announced Friday drive-thru testing for high-risk patients to begin Saturday.
Health care officials ask people who believe they have the virus to first set up a virtual appointment or call their health care provider.
As of Friday, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department reported 83 confirmed COVID-19 cases and one death.
Health department testing
The health department will operate a testing site near the Tacoma Dome for people who are showing symptoms and are at high-risk for complications or work in occupations that provide “critical services.” It is not for the general public.
To qualify for a test people must:
▪ Work in health care.
▪ Work in public safety jobs like law enforcement, firefighting or EMS.
▪ Work in critical infrastructure, such as grocery stores, homeless shelters, restaurants, gas stations and public utilities.
▪ Be in a high-risk group, like those who are over 60, have underlying health conditions or are pregnant.
“Healthcare workers, first responders and people who provide critical infrastructure are on the front lines of helping residents in need during this public health emergency,” said Jessica Gehle, incident commander for the health department’s COVID-19 response. “It’s vital we prioritize this testing for them to ensure they are able to protect the health of our communities.”
With limited test kits, the health department requires people to fill out an online survey to find out if they are eligible and to register. Those who qualify will receive a testing identifier number to present at a drive-thru site.
“All people must arrive in a vehicle and provide a valid government-issued photo identification. The test is completed using a nasal swab while participants remain in their vehicles,” according to a health department news release. “People who arrive without proper testing identification will not get tested.”
The TPCHD testing will start Saturday and last for five days.
Triage centers
People at a higher risk of infection and showing symptoms also can be screened and possibly tested at CHI Franciscan triage centers, the health systems reports.
Those considered “high-risk” include health care workers, first responders, patients in nursing homes, patients with severe lung illness or chronic disease, pregnant women, patients older than 60 and people who have been exposed to a known COVID-19 patient.
All patients who arrive will be screened, but staff will determine who gets tested based on national and state health guidance. Triage sites are at:
▪ Franciscan Prompt Care – Bonney Lake
▪ Franciscan Prompt Care – Canyon Road
▪ Franciscan Prompt Care at St. Joseph
▪ Franciscan Prompt Care – Gig Harbor
▪ Franciscan Prompt Care – Burien
▪ Franciscan Medical Clinic – Federal Way
▪ Franciscan Medical Clinic – Enumclaw
▪ Franciscan Medical Clinic – Bainbridge Island
▪ Harrison Belfair Urgent Care
▪ Harrison Port Orchard Urgent Care
▪ The Doctors Clinic Ridgetop East - Silverdale
E-Care
For those with symptoms, local health systems, including MultiCare and CHI Franciscan, are offering free online appointments with health care providers.
Virtual appointments are for those with COVID-19 symptoms like a low-grade fever, a cough and mild respiratory problems.
Interested people can visit franciscanvirtualcare.org or download the iOS mobile app in the Apple store or the Android app in the Google Play store, or visit MultiCare Virtual Care.
Both health systems have waived fees with the use of promo code “COVID19” at the payment page.
This story was originally published March 20, 2020 at 4:39 PM.
