OLYMPIA, Wash.-The Washington Department of Health has launched new COVID-19 and flu test kiosks across the state.
The community testing initiative was launched with local health jurisdictions and Tribal Nations to promote safety and well-being statewide, according to the DOH.
“In unveiling these innovative kiosks, DOH is taking a significant step towards ensuring the well-being of our communities,” said Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH, Secretary of Health.
Beginning the week of Feb. 5, kiosks across the state will offer free COVID-19 and flu tests as well as other health care supplies. According to the DOH, 17 kiosks have already been ordered by LHJ’s and Tribal Nations.
The new kiosks can be found in food banks, transit stations, churches, schools, and libraries and serve as a convenient and anonymous solution for testing.
Key features of new DOH testing kiosks:
Access: Kiosks make it possible to access healthcare tests for free 24-hours a daty.No costs: Kiosks are free to Tribal communities and LHJ’s, with all costs covered by DOH.Test options: Kiosks dispense free COVID-19 rapid antigen tests, multiplex rapid antigen tests (which detect flu types A and B as well as COVID-19), and self-swab PCR tests.Flexibility: About half the tests in a kiosk must be COVID tests, but LHJ’s and Tribes may choose other healthcare products to include in the kiosks, such as Naloxone, at their own cost.
“These 24/7 accessible kiosks exemplify our commitment to health equity, especially for underserved populations,” said Dr. Shaw.
