COVID Update on Testing
New Approach to Deal with Increased Cases on Vashon
Web Page with Accurate Information on Testing Types
If you have COVID-like symptoms, or have possibly been exposed to someone with COVID, please call the Vashon Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) for testing guidance: (844) 469-4554. To minimize COVID spread, the MRC strongly supports the recommendations of Public Health — Seattle & King County and other health experts that people should wear masks indoors even if they are vaccinated. Get detailed information on testing at VashonBePrepared.org/COVID/Testing.
MRC Testing Aimed at Containment
Vashon Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), VashonBePrepared, and Vashon Pharmacy have partnered on a new testing effort aimed at containing the recent surge of COVID cases on the island. The program focuses almost entirely on those with potential symptoms of COVID and those who may have been exposed to someone with COVID. This will aid contact tracing so those with disease can rapidly be diagnosed and given advice to avoid spread of infection.
As many know, the Vashon Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) demobilized its full service mass testing site in June when the VashonBePrepared activation was scaled back to Standby/Monitoring level. However, the surge in cases driven by the Delta variant of the virus requires a renewed contact tracing and containment approach while the island is still at a relatively low infection rate compared to mainland communities. This same contact tracing strategy helped the island avoid disaster during the dangerous spike in the pre-vaccination days last November and December.
To Access MRC Testing
All MRC testing is free of charge. If you test positive for COVID, have possible COVID symptoms, or have possibly been exposed to COVID, contact MRC at (844) 469-4554 to arrange for guidance and testing. If you need testing, you will be directed to a new office behind Vashon Pharmacy that is staffed limited hours each day by appointment only.
Positive Test: The Vashon MRC is working with Public Health – Seattle & King County to provide contact tracing and support of those with COVID. If you have a positive COVID test result of any kind, please contact the MRC at (844) 469-4554 to discuss isolation strategies, your contacts and available support services.
Symptoms or Exposure: If you have symptoms or may have been exposed to someone with COVID, please call the MRC at (844) 469-4554 to assess your risk and to facilitate testing and possible quarantine. MRC will help determine the best test for you to get and the appropriate timing of testing. Even if you decide to test off-island, calling no before a test will allow MRC experts to work with you to minimize viral transmission during the current surge in cases.
Please note that no on-island medical provider, including MRC, is currently conducting testing for travel or for clearance prior to a medical procedure.To learn about your options for pre-travel testing or testing prior to medical procedures, please go to VashonBePrepared.org/COVID/Testing to get full details on options for those testing needs. The new web page also has information on the difference between PCR testing and rapid antigen testing. A number of locations and strategies are also listed including testing locations closest to the north and south ferry terminals.