KIRO7 reports that the University of Washington is replicating drive-true coronavirus testing stations that we’ve seen pop up in other nations.
SEATTLE — The University of Washington is rapidly expanding its ability to test people for COVID-19. A drive-thru testing site is already up and running at UW Medical in North Seattle that can test 40 to 50 people per day.
Right now it’s only available to employees and students, but UW Medical plans to expand that testing later this week to include first responders, employees at long-term care facilities and UW patients showing symptoms.
#BREAKING: UW Medicine will expand drive thru #COVID19 testing to @UWMedicine patients and first responders showing symptoms this week.
Currently available to employees and students showing #coronavirus symptoms. Can run 40-50 tests per day. @KIRO7Seattle pic.twitter.com/xz0jxaBl6A
— Deedee Sun (@DeedeeKIRO7) March 9, 2020
Meanwhile, the Seattle Times reports that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is working towards an at-home test:
Testing for the novel coronavirus in the Seattle area will get a huge boost in the coming weeks as a project funded by Bill Gates and his foundation begins offering home-testing kits that will allow people who fear they may be infected to swab their noses and send the samples back for analysis.
Results, which should be available in one to two days, will be shared with local health officials who will notify those who test positive. Via online forms, infected people can answer questions about their movements and contacts, making it easier for health officials to locate others who may need to be tested or quarantined, as well as to track the virus’ spread and identify possible hot spots.
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