Washington Expands Coronavirus Testing, With Restrictions Eased

SEATTLE, WA — Washington is primed to boost its capacity for coronavirus testing amid a growing community outbreak of COVID-19 and relaxed guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, health officials announced Wednesday.

© UW Medicine Washington is working to expand its capacity to test patients for COVID-19 amid relaxed federal guidelines allowing more people to be screened.

Gov. Jay Inslee said he expected to state would be able to multiply Washington's testing capabilities tenfold in the days to come. Updated guidance from the federal government now allows anyone with potential COVID-19 symptoms to be screened for the virus, with a recommendation from their healthcare provider.

The University of Washington began running its newly developed tests on Tuesday and said the lab should have the capability to screen hundreds of patients by the end of the week.

UW Medicine invited the media to tour its Seattle facility on Wednesday.

According to UW, the new test was developed over the last two weeks and was verified for accuracy and designed to reduce false positives or inconclusive results. Samples are collected via nose and throat swabs, and the results are sent to public health agencies and the CDC for confirmation.

Until Tuesday, the state had relied solely on a public health laboratory in Shoreline to test patients for the COVID-19 virus. The Department of Health said its facility could screen about 100 patients daily, but newly ordered equipment should allow staff to considerably expand that number.

The swift expansion of the state's testing capability comes a day after the CDC broadened the ability for states to test for the virus, which was previously limited to those with serious illness or direct links to another patient who had tested positive for the virus.

Health officials said Wednesday that several other commercial laboratories in the Seattle area were contacted in recent days as part of a continued effort to scale testing ability with increasing public demand.

Vice President Mike Pence, who is tasked with coordinating the U.S. coronavirus response, will travel to Washington state Thursday to meet with Gov. Jay Inslee in Olympia.

According to the latest numbers from the Department of Health, 39 COVID-19 illnesses have been confirmed in Washington, with 10 deaths linked to the virus.

Related: Amid Coronavirus, King County Recommends Curbing Group Activities

Symptoms of the new coronavirus are similar to flu or colds and may include:

• Runny nose
• Headache
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Fever
• A general feeling of being unwell

According to the Department of Health, people should take these steps to reduce their risk of getting and spreading any viral respiratory infections:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
• Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces.
• Stay at home and away from others if you are feeling ill.