Seattleites with coronavirus symptoms should get tested as soon as possible
Seattle and King County Public Health Officials are now recommending that anyone with symptoms or who has been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 be tested right away.
On Wednesday, Seattle and King County Public Health explained the change in the county’s testing strategy in a press release.
“With more healthcare providers offering testing, we now recommend that anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 be tested,” said Dr. Jeff Duchin in the release.
Duchin said testing is important to “ensure timely medical care when necessary and to stop COVID-19 from spreading” by allowing those who test positive and their close contacts to quickly separate themselves from others in their households and communities.
Health officials say that the most concerning symptoms are cough or shortness of breath, but anyone with two or more of the following symptoms should also be evaluated for a test: Fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or loss of taste or smell.
Most coronavirus testing is currently conducted through primary care providers, however, those who don’t have a provider who administers the test can call the King County COVID-19 call center at 206-477-3977 to locate a test site.
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