Temporary coronavirus test site opens in Puyallup

PUYALLUP, Wash. — If you’re looking to get tested for COVID-19, expect to wait as Thanksgiving approaches.

The blue parking lot at the Washington State Fairgrounds in Puyallup will be the site of the latest free drive-through testing clinic.

The clinic will be open for three days:

• Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Dec. 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Pierce County Department of Health, which is running the site, said to speed up the process, people who want to get tested should print, fill out and bring the following documents with them:

• Pierce County Mobile Testing Form
• FIDLAB/COVID-19 Testing Form

Priority in Puyallup goes to people who have been exposed to COVID-19 or who have symptoms.

Officials are concerned the location will be inundated with traffic because of people who want a test result so they can travel or visit their families over the holiday.

The trend of long lines at test sites is happening around the state. Some Seattle sites have had wait times of up to 90 minutes.

Even worse are some South Sound locations with waits of more than three hours.

“Unfortunately, a lot of these tests people are doing for holiday planning may come at the expense of people that need a test because they have symptoms or known exposure,” said COVID-19 test coordinator Captain Brian Wallace.

Per Gov. Jay Inslee’s latest order, any indoor gatherings outside your own household should be canceled.

Cox Media Group