Local

New COVID-19 testing sites opening in south King County

KING COUNTY, Wash. — To curb the spread of COVID-19, King County is opening two new free testing sites in south King County.

“We know not everyone in King County has equal access to testing,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine.

The new testing locations in Auburn and Renton will be modeled after the ones in Seattle.

“These new sites are especially important for people who lack insurance or have other barriers,” said Patty Hayes Public Health Director for Seattle  & King County.

Experts have long said testing is critical to bringing COVID-19 numbers down.

South King County has been a hot spot for cases.

“Closing the gap in testing access has been a top priority  for public health as we continue to see the disproportionate impact that COVID-19 is having on communities of color and those living in South King County,” Hayes added.

Though testing in the county has doubled since June, Hayes said there’s still a long way to go. Which is why the two new sites are important as they can run up to 1,500 more tests a day.

“So they can keep themselves and their loved ones and the entire community safe particularly at this critical moment right before flu season begins,” Constantine explained.

The Auburn location, at 2701 C St. SW, opens Sept. 1.

The Renton location, at 805 SW 10th Ave., opens Sept. 8.

King County says it aims to get test results back to people within two days.