Here's the scoop on COVID-19 testing in Washington State...
Testing for COVID-19
Not everyone needs to be tested for COVID-19. We don’t currently have medications to treat COVID-19, so whether you test positive or negative your healthcare provider’s advice for managing your symptoms will be the same. In general, it is not recommended to test people who don’t have symptoms unless they are a close contact of a confirmed case.
According to the Washington State Department of Health, there are currently no restrictions on who can be tested for COVID-19 and commercial testing is becoming widely available. The test for COVID-19 through the Washington State Public Health Lab is free, and copays and deductibles have been waived. Healthcare providers may test any patient in whom they suspect COVID-19.
The following patients with COVID-19 symptoms are considered at highest priority for testing:
- Healthcare workers
- Patients in other public safety occupations (e.g., law enforcement, fire fighter, EMS)
- Patients involved in an illness cluster in a facility or institution (e.g., healthcare, school, corrections, shelters)
- Patients with severe lower respiratory illness (hospitalized or fatal)
- Patients older than 60 years
- Patients with underlying medical conditions
- Pregnant women
- Patients with worsening symptoms
For more information about testing, visit the
Washington State Department of Health testing webpage.