Testing expanded to grocery, food handlers and other essential workers

Grays Harbor Public Health is increasing the availability and accessibility of COVID-19 testing for essential workers in Grays Harbor County who are showing symptoms, including grocery store workers and others who handle food.

“These workers are making it possible for our cities and county to continue to function during this crisis,” said Dr. John Bausher, Grays Harbor County Health Officer.

The list of essential workers is broad, and includes food service, grocery store and farm workers. Public Health officials remind everyone to respect social distancing guidelines when in stores and picking up food.

“The people who are working to make sure we have access to food have the challenge of adapting to a new way of doing their jobs. We are supporting them, and other essential workers, by making sure they have access to testing. I want to thank all essential workers in Grays Harbor County, and encourage them to get tested if they have symptoms,” said Bausher.

Drive-through testing

Wednesday morning, Grays Harbor Public Health, local public safety agencies and the Washington Army and Air National Guard began offering drive-through COVID-19 testing in Aberdeen.

At least 20 people will be tested for COVID-19 during the site’s first day of operation, according to Brianne Probasco, Public Health COVID-19 public information officer.

Wednesday morning, personnel in personal protective gear waited under a tent for those scheduled for testing to arrive. The parking lot contained a variety of vehicles, including Aberdeen and Hoquiam police vehicles. The entrance to the testing site was monitored, with geared-up personnel directing traffic through the traffic cones leading to the test site itself.

Testing is free and available to people who have symptoms of COVID-19 (fever and cough and/or shortness of breath) and meet the expanded criteria for priority populations. The testing site will run daily as long as supplies permit.

Testing is available for people who:

• Are experiencing symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath) and

• Are 18 years or older and

• Are currently working outside their home (essential workers) or

• Are living with someone who is working outside their home or

• Are pregnant or

• Have an underlying health condition or

• Are experiencing homelessness

If you meet the above criteria, Public Health highly encourages you to get tested. Testing is by-appointment only. To make an appointment, call Grays Harbor Public Health’s COVID -19 Call Center at 360-964-1850. The call center is open seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. to schedule appointments and answer questions about COVID-19 in Grays Harbor County. Testing will run daily as supplies permit.

DAN HAMMOCK | GRAYS HARBOR NEWS GROUP The Grays Harbor Public Health testing site planned to test 20 people for COVID-19 during its first day of operation Wednesday.

COURTESY GRAYS HARBOR PUBLIC HEALTH The Grays Harbor Public Health testing site planned to test 20 people for COVID-19 during its first day of operation Wednesday.

DAN HAMMOCK | GRAYS HARBOR NEWS GROUP Personnel in personal protective gear await the arrival of the 20 people who were scheduled to take COVID-19 tests at the Grays Harbor Public Health drive through test site Wednesday.