[Note: This story has been updated 12/30.]
“Get boosted. Get Tested.” Dr. Fauci could not have been more clear. If you are to have protection from the omicron variant you need to get that third shot of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or a second shot of either Pfizer or Moderna if your first was Johnson and Johnson. And he pointed out that it didn’t really matter that you got the same vaccine for the third dose as for the first two. You can mix and match. And you can get tested or get jabbed conveniently right here in Wallingford.
Want to get tested? Go to Gas Works Park (2101 N Northlake Way). The van in the picture is parked at the southeast corner of the parking lot, just off the street. It is operated by Curative, under contract to the State of Washington. They are offering the RT-qPCR test that is approved by the FDA. The results will be available in 1 to 2 days. It is what you need for travel. You will administer the test to yourself, with coaching available if you need it. The test is free to you. This is more accurate than the in-home test kits.
For now, they are only taking folks with an appointment, Their hours are from 8 am to 2:30 pm each weekday. Go to their website to book an appointment. If you do it this week you will find appointment slots on Thursday. They are closed this Friday and through the weekend. After New Year’s weekend they will resume a more normal schedule and will also be open from 9 am to 4 pm on Saturday. They expect to be open through January, at least. If you have health insurance, bring you card with you so the State of Washington can recover the cost from your insurance company. If you don’t have insurance, come anyway. It will still be free to you. But you do need an email address so they can send you the results.
Need a booster shot? Three of the drug stores in Wallingford are offering them now. Go to the pharmacy in the back of the store. Here is a roundup:
- CVS (45th and Meridian Ave) – only offering the Moderna. Appointments only. Go to their website to make an appointment.
- Bartells (45th and Burke Ave) – only offering the Moderna. Appointments only. Go to their website to make an appointment.
- Pharmaca (45th and Wallingford Ave) – offering Pfizer, Moderna and J&J. Appointments only. Go to their website to make an appointment.
- Walgreens (45th and Stone) is not offering any Covid vaccines. They say they are too short staffed right now.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is offering a detailed reminder about what people should do if they test positive for COVID-19. Cases are rising sharply, driven by the omicron variant, which is believed to be more contagious than previous variants, including delta. Tracking cases and preventing further spread of disease starts with testing. Anyone with any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 or known exposures should get tested, regardless of vaccination status or prior infection.
Please read the full news release to see the checklist.
As of 12/29 CVS has at-home self tests available, limit 2 per person. The other Wallingford stores are out and not certain when they will get shipments. If you test positive, be sure to report it to the Health Department. 1-800-525-0127 then press # (press 7 for Spanish), as soon as you have results. The hotline is available Monday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Tuesday to Sunday (and observed holidays) 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Language assistance is available.
Clarification, please: As far as I can tell, their website shows appointments for PCR tests available in 1 or 2 days, and those are covered by insurance (or free if you don’t have insurance). It’s my understanding that RT-PCR are not covered by insurance, and usually cost a couple hundred dollars. Are those also available? Can you make an appointment for RT-PCR tests? And how much do they cost (if anything)?
The site I see says it is offering RT-PCR tests at no cost and it may take 1-2 days. I’m assuming the test results can be 2 hours, but they are allowing for processing backups in the estimate.
I was able to talk to a supervisor today and got additional information. The posting has been updated with current information. The test is free.Yes, you might get same day results but that is not promised.