UPDATE: More COVID-19 testing on the way to West Seattle, starting Thursday

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL REPORT, 5:59 PM WEDNESDAY: Just spotted this at Don Armeni Boat Ramp while out on pre-dusk rounds. Curative has been partnering with the city to open walk-up COVID-testing kiosks like these, starting with two in Northgate and the Central District in early December, then adding three more in late December – but no West Seattle locations until now. These kiosks offer self-administered mouth-swab tests, with a Curative employee there to observe and receive; you get the results electronically within 48 hours, the city says. West Seattle isn’t yet on the map, so we have messages out to see how soon this is expected to open. (In the meantime, the city’s test site at Southwest Athletic Complex continues operating six days a week.)

ADDED 8:50 AM THURSDAY: Curative tells us this is opening today. And in fact, overnight it’s been added to their map, so you can use their website to book an appointment. Looks like the available appointments start at noon.

Ryan January 20, 2021 (6:21 pm)

Be Cautious…https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/stephaniemlee/fda-curative-coronavirus-test-false-negatives

mark January 21, 2021 (2:25 pm)

Thanks for posting the link. I read it early this am. There is lots of good info that other commenters do not even mention or are not even aware of. Reading is fundamental, people. The me, me, me attitude is not inclusive, karens. When I had to drive to the outdoor SWAC facility, I was glad it was there but felt more at risk with marginally mild symptoms because as I moved closer to the front of the line, I was downwind of everyone behind me.Not everyone wants to drive to SWAC, especially us single older folks surviving way north of there that try to stay local as much as possible. Still, Curative is a for profit company. The City of Seattle (us) pay for it and there is much left to be desired.

WS_Steve January 21, 2021 (6:15 am)

There is no reason to use one of these when we have the excellent testing facility at SWAC. I got a fever at around 8pm Sunday night, scheduled a test for 9am Monday, had my negative result by Monday night. And it was the more reliable deep-swab test so my confidence was very high (also all my symptoms had gone away).

anonyme January 21, 2021 (6:45 am)

This is a good model for testing as well as vaccination. West Seattle currently has not a single vaccination site available, inexcusable for a city this size, and especially during a time when our transportation choices are so limited.

Kevin January 21, 2021 (8:51 am)

The Testing booth is open this morning when I walked by.

WSB January 21, 2021 (8:56 am)

Yeah, I just updated the story. Curative responded this morning and said it opens today; their website shows appointments starting at noon.

Buddy January 21, 2021 (9:02 am)

Would like to see Covid-19 virus shots being given out in the White Center and West Seattle community!

WSB January 21, 2021 (9:07 am)

They’ll get there. Just a matter of vaccine availability.

Rachelle January 21, 2021 (9:59 am)

Just a note that this has been authorized for testing of those showing symptoms of covid. It is not nearly as accurate for asymptomatic people, which could cause someone to think they are negative when they are not. For those asymptomatic people, the nasal test, offered free at the SW community center, should be used.

CDH January 21, 2021 (11:11 am)

I agree with Anonyme: why no testing sites in West Seattle? I was particularly disappointed that Swedish West Seattle Clinic declines to give vaccine. A form message on MyChart curtly stated that they will not give the injection. It did not give a reason. It does not appear that it is because they cannot get vaccine. My husband and I have been patients there for 16 years and this is the first time they have so profoundly failed us.

Elton January 21, 2021 (11:38 am)

Vaccine storage for COVID is not so simple. You have to keep them at an extremely low temperature in a very specific range. As a result, transportation is complicated, too. There have recently been supply chain issues as well with getting the vaccine. So I don’t know if it’s safe to say that they can get it – that’s been a bit volatile.

Sensical? January 21, 2021 (2:29 pm)

Is this less than a foot from Alki trail? And we’re encouraging symptomatic people to go there and take off their masks? In the middle of a pandemic with a virus highly transmissible by aerosols? With a new even more highly transmissible variant emerging? What am I missing? Doesn’t this fly in the face of public health recommendations? Are they relying on a non-scientific theory that you need more than 15 minutes of exposure to catch it?

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