With COVID cases remaining a problem, more people seeking tests

SEATTLE — COVID cases are climbing across the state, and, according to health experts, many people may be walking around with the virus and not even know it. The reason — many of us are not getting tested. And for those who are, the test results may not always be accurate.

According to the King County Health Department, it’s best to do the at-home test twice for clarity. They advise taking the second test 24 to 72 hours after the first test. If both come back negative, people are most likely in the clear, but it doesn’t hurt to take a PCR test.

At the testing site in the Aurora neighborhood of Seattle, several people told KIRO7 they got tested again even after taking an at home test, just to have that peace of mind.

“I think it’s really important. Probably more safe to get this one than the home test, I believe,” Tony Lillard said.

“We both got tested on Sunday. I found out this morning that my ex-wife and daughter are ill with it. I was with them on Thursday, so we’re just being careful,” one man told KIRO7.

“About 12 to 14 hours later, after I received that message, I took an at-home test. It was negative. Then, I waited 25 hours to take an at-home test, and it came out positive,” Dave Swanke said.

Dave Swanke says another reason why he wanted to get an additional test was to make sure he wasn’t going to potentially give it to someone else.

“I’m a caretaker for an at-risk, high at-risk elderly parent. So, I think I will be fine, but I don’t wanna risk … put anyone else at risk right now,” Swanke said.

Besides getting tested, many at the site believe the more people vaccinated, the better the protection everyone has against the virus.

“I think it’s saving lives and keeping people well,” one man said.

According to the Washington State Department of Health, King County has the highest positivity rate per 100,000 people. Other counties, such as Skagit County, are seeing an increase in both cases and hospitalizations. UW Medicine currently has 45 COVID patients throughout their 4 hospitals.

But some parts of the state are seeing a decline, like Pierce County. According to the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, their cases dropped for the first time since March.

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