FOLLOWUP: Why West Seattle’s city-run site is getting out of the testing business

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Two days after we reported that the Southwest Athletic Complex testing/vaccination site will stop offering testing after next Tuesday (March 30th), the city has officially announced the change. Dropping testing services, the mayor’s office says, will enable another 3,000 vaccinations a week, just as eligibility expands. And the testing demand Is lower – dropping in recent weeks to 200 or fewer per day at West Seattle (with more than 78,000 tests given since it opened). The city says it can scale testing back up if demand increases. The announcement notes, as we did on Monday, that a Curative testing kiosk remains open at Don Armeni Boat Ramp (1222 Harbor SW), with numerous appointments available, and adds the reminder that there’s a drive-through test site in SODO (3820 6th Ave. S.). You can find out more about the city’s vaccination program – including getting on the notification list – by going here, or by calling 206-684-2489.

sam-c March 24, 2021 (3:57 pm)

“The city says it can scale testing back up if demand increases.” How will they know what the demand is, if they are not even there to administer tests?Re: vaccinations. Hope they don’t close the site due to low demand. The demand is low because the eligibility is so limited. Maybe they should wait and see what the demand is starting March 31. I know plenty of people who still won’t be eligible March 31, and are very eager to get vaccinated when they can. Maybe the vaccination demand is low because people are travelling to other places in Washington to places that seem to actually have shots/ appointments/ are better organized.

Looking for the vaccine March 24, 2021 (4:37 pm)

People in the 65+ category sometimes don’t have the technology to register online and instead have learned to show up in-person for left over shots at the end of the day which could explain perceived low demand. In regards to testing, the other testing site in West Seattle should be a barometer for when the need for that service increases.
- Brian March 24, 2021 (5:47 pm)
  
  People 65+ can just show up anytime during the day without an appointment. The fireman at the site said it directly to everyone waiting for leftovers. “Tell your neighbors who are 65 and older to just come down – they don’t need an appointment.”

Theresa March 24, 2021 (6:10 pm)

Maybe I read the original posting incorrectly but from what I read the comment regarding low demand is in relation to testing not vaccination. I have been to the site trying for leftover vaccinations and we can all see there is high demand there.

WSB March 24, 2021 (6:35 pm)

The low demand is for testing, not vaccination.
Sam-c March 24, 2021 (8:42 pm)

I was aware too and my comment made the distinction between comments about low demand in testing … Then a separate comment about low demand in vaccines. I tried to create a new paragraph but my ‘returns’ don’t register on this commenting platform/ format.

onion March 24, 2021 (6:17 pm)

I’m over 65 and have an appointment for my second dose next week — as does my wife. I was willing to wait until people who had a greater need were vaccinated, but once my window opened I jumped on it — at first with little luck because availability had not caught up with demand.
If people who are eligible are not taking advantage of this ‘window of opportunity’ the state should absolutely open up slots for people not currently eligible. I don’t have a lot of patience for people who take the vaccines seriously.

Sam-c March 24, 2021 (8:45 pm)

Has anyone found a way to make an appointment for a future date (for when you will be eligible-like March 31). City of Seattle system doesn’t let you.

flimflam March 24, 2021 (6:28 pm)

yup! even though the numbers have gone UP covid is OVER! yeah! dine in, masks off, party time! covid is done for, no need for testing anymore!

Donna Snow March 25, 2021 (8:43 am)

I really hope you are being sarcastic!

South WS Resident March 24, 2021 (7:07 pm)

Oh dear! Sorry to hear they are discontinuing testing there. Many of us need testing before any kind of medical procedure, etc. They have done a superb job of testing at this large WS site.

corb555 March 24, 2021 (9:41 pm)

This is great! We definitely need more vaccine capacity. You can go to the Don Armeni Boat Ramp if you need testing. I’ve been going to SWAC when it closes and there are always well over 100 people waiting to see if they can get one of the handful of daily leftover vaccines.

Sorry, comment time is over.